General strike shortened, vehicle damaged, roads blocked
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 15 2024: Citing ongoing Class X and XII examinations and current unrest situation in the state, the 48-hour general strike jointly called by various civil society organisations in protest against the arrest of three members of the Pambei-led United National Liberation Front (UNLF), has been shortened to 24-hour.As such, the general strike effective from Thursday midnight will wind up on Friday midnight.

A joint release issued by Federation of Civil Society Manipur, Manipur Women's Federation, Indigenous People's Organisation-Manipur, Universal Mothers' Organisation, Manipur Keithel Marup, Meitei Pangal Welfare Organisation, Meitei Pangal Council Manipur, Yelhoumee Kanba Lup, World Meitei Organisation, Anouba Senmitlon and a students' body confirmed shortening of the general strike period.

They further urged the people to continue exerting pressure on both state and central governments by holding sit-in protests and rally during day time and taking out meira rally at night to demand unconditional release of the arrested trio.

Mention may be made that the Pambei-led UNLF had in November 2023 signed an agreement to start peace talks with the central and state governments.

In Thoubal district, local clubs and Meira Paibi lups organised protest demonstrations on Friday demanding unconditional release of three members of the Pambei-led UNLF arrested by the NIA.

Langathel Apunba Meira Paibi and clubs of the area organised a torch rally on Friday evening from Langathel Keithel till Phundrei road via Khongjom Keithel.

Protestors decried arrest of the UNLF members in-spite of the fact that the outfit had signed peace pact with the government, termed it as breach of trust, and demanded their unconditional release at the earliest.

Earlier, Ingourok Apunba Meira Paibi organised a sit-in protest at Nongpok Ningthou Panthoibi Laibung denouncing the arrest of the three.

In Imphal East district, Uchekon Youth Volunteers' Organisation in association with Uchekon Chaokhat Thourang Nupi Marup also organised a sit-in protest at Changangei Ucheckon on Friday.

Demanding unconditional release of the three members of the Pambei-led UNLF, within three days, womenfolk of Yaiskul area staged a sit-in-protest near MDU hall, Imphal West district, on Friday.

Yaiskul Apunba Meira Paibi general secretary L Shantibala told media persons at the protest venue that arrest of three members of the Pambei-led UNLF despite holding ceasefire/peace talk with the government was not reasonable? Demanding release of the arrested persons within three days, L Shantibala warned that CSOs of the state would take a decisive step if the government fails to release the cadres.

She also appealed to the state government to hold talk with the Centre on the matter and clarify the reasons for arresting the cadres.

Meanwhile, addressing the media at Manipur Press Club, here, on Friday, Mayai Yumpham Khuman Kanglei Apunba Itinpham, Mayang Imphal demanded unconditional release of the arrested leaders of the Pambei-led UNLF.

Spokesperson of the organisation, Asem Roshan said that their arrest has rendered meaningless the peace pact signed with the government of India.

People of the state played major role in bringing the organisation to the negotiating table and arresting their leaderships is unacceptable, he maintained.

Roshan also enquired the reason for not tak ing up similar actions against the leaderships of Kuki narco-terrorists, who are actively involved in the current crisis and have been targeting civilians since the beginning.

The recent activities of the Central government show a double standard strategy and it will not bring any solution to the crisis but rather infuriate the people, he cautioned.

The Spokesperson also demanded the state government to take up necessary initiatives to ensure unconditional release of the three leaders while cautioning of launching intense forms of agitation.

He further urged all political-parties in the state to do whatever they could to mount pressure on the centre unless they want social boycott.

Meanwhile, responding to the general strike called by 13 organisations against arrest of three persons by NIA, supporters blocked roads and caused damage to a vehicle.

Strike supporters in Thoubal blocked the Asian Highway stfetch in Athokpam and Wangjing-Heirok Lamkhai area.

However, students appearing in the class X exams, health and emergency related personnel were provided free passage while shops and establishment in Thoubal area remained closed.

In Bishnupur district, general strike supporters blocked the Tiddim road in Thamnapokpi area around 10:15 am and smashed windshield of a car on its way to Imphal.

On receipt of the report, teams of Moirang and Bishnupur police led by additional SP (Ops) L Amarjit arrived and pacified the strike supporters and prevented unwanted incidents from happening further.

General strike supporters in Jiri also came out to the streets and blocked the roads including the national highway.

All shops and business establishment as well as government and private offices remained closed.

However, students appearing in the class X examinations and personnel engaged in essential and emergency services were exempted from purview of the strike.

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