Rally calls for ending terror acts, scraping AFSPA
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 19 2024: Protestors mounted pressure on the government to thwart killing of innocent children and women and repeal AFSPA from Manipur during a mass protest rally in the capital city on Tuesday.

The protest rally carried out from AMUCO office at Kwakeithel to Keishampat junction along the Tiddim road, was jointly organised by All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) and its allied civil society organisations including Manipuri Students' Federation, All Manipur Women's Voluntary Organisation (AMAWOVA) and Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur.

Though the police tried to stop the rally at Kwakeithel traffic point and then at the Hodam Leirak junction, the protestors breached the security barricades after a brief scuffle.

Nonetheless, the police were ultimately able to prevent the rally from proceeding beyond the Keishampat junction.

During the rally, the protestors raised slogans for upholding the emotional and territorial integrity of Manipur, repeal of AFSPA from entire state, stringiest punishment to culprits involved in the killing of six children and women, condemnation of India's partisan and divisive policies, etc.

According to AMUCO president Nando Luwang, the rally was prompted by mounting anger among the people over the killing of six civilians by Kuki militants in Jiribam.

He said that public sentiment is also building up against the Indian government over its suspected involvement in the ongoing crisis, and accused the Indian government of creating a volatile condition, exacerbating the violence.

Slamming the re-imposition of AFSPA in areas under six police stations, the president said the draconian law had already caused untold suffering to people of the state and its re-imposition will only aggravate the situation rather than address the crisis.

He then demanded immediate scraping of AFSPA from the six police stations and entire areas of Manipur.

Chipping in, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur general secretary Thongam Apabi said people of Manipur are well aware about the proxy war being waged by the government of India and termed as extremely unfortunate re-imposition of AFSPA instead of resolving the crisis lingering for more than 18 months.

"Many people have been killed under the guise of AFSPA in the past and its re-imposition indicates that government of India wants to eliminate volunteers guarding the fringe villages to defend from Kuki militants," she added.

AMAWOVA president Y Kunjarani also told media persons that the killing of three children including an infant and three women by Kuki militants in Jiribam was the most gruesome act of terrorism and such heinous acts must be stopped immediately.

She said that government of India is trying to.

uproot the Meetei community by waging a proxy war through Kuki militants and imposition of AFSPA.

Kunjarai appealed to the people to remain on alert about the activities of the central government as the elected government in Manipur is almost defunct and unable to protect lives and properties of the people.

The rally was taken out despite imposition of curfew.

The AFSPA gives armed forces operating in disturbed areas sweeping powers to search, arrest and open fire if they deem it necessary for the "maintenance of public order".

The Centre recently re-imposed the pro-military in six police station areas, including the violence-hit Jiribam.

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