Newly formed citizens committee visits Ccpur
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 03 2015 : A newly formed committee christened as Citizens Committee, Manipur (CCM) on Saturday visited Churachandpur District Headquarters and interacted with the members of Joint Philanthropic Organisation (JPO), Lamka.

The CCM was formed September last to identify grievances of the citizens in Manipur irrespective of ethnic divide with the core objective of unity, peace, development and progress for all.

Many top political leaders, social activists, human rights defenders and senior journalists, editors, art and culture experts are members of the committee.

The committee visited Churachandpur to asses the ground situation after nine protesters were killed and scores injured during the agitation against the passing of three Bills passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

The people of Churachandpur have been gripped by tension for the last one month.

Newly formed citizens committee visits Ccpur

Interacting with the members of the JPO, CCM Convenor Babloo Loitongbam expressed pain over the situation in Churachandpur.

The people of the State, particularly those in Churachandpur District have undergone "untold suffering" during the last few months, he said.

The CCM convenor felt that an amicable solution could be reached at between the State Government and the agitators through the negotiating table.

Babloo said "Under these circumstances, the committee felt it necessary to visit Churachandpur to pay customary respect to those who lost their lives during the agitation and to meet leaders of various communities." The committee was supposed to meet Churachandpur civil society organisation leaders including JAC Churachandpur, KIC, JPO, JAC (Women Wing).

However, the CCM members could meet only the JPO members at the District hospital.

Former Chief Minister of Manipur Radhabinod Koijam and Chairperson of the CCM stated that the committee also offered condolence to the bereaved family members of the nine departed souls and appealed the responsible authorities to end the impasse.

Radha Binod said, "Due to lack of trust among us, many issues and problems have been created in the State." He made it clear that the CCM had come to Churachandpur to share and listen to the grievances of the people as citizens and "not under anyone's influence" .

Meanwhile, JPO Convenor Mangbha Thangzawn expressed his gratitude to the committee for visiting Churachandpur.

He said JPO has been engaged with rendering services to all in Churachandpur District irrespective of castes, creed and colours.

In connection with the current situation, the organisation has so far received donations and condoles from various quarters, he said.

Mangbha Thangzawn also informed that three protesters who were injured in the recent protest are still recuperating in the hospitals in Churachandpur and Imphal.

JPO also accepted nine traditional shawls given by CCM meant for the nine "tribal martyrs" and the two organisations observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed souls.

Former Minister RV Mingthing; political leaders M Tombi Singh; Lien Gangte; Senior Journalists Yambem Laba; senior journalists Pradip Phanjoubam and Khelen Thokchom were also part of the visiting CCM team.