Mass sit-ins denounce AR notice, effigies torched
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 02 2023:
Condemning the legal notice sent to RPI (Athawale) national secretary Maheshwar Thounaojam by IGAR (South) and demanding its withdrawal within 15 days, mass sit-in protests were staged by local Meira Paibi groups in various places on Saturday.
Organised under the aegis of Committee against the Legal Notice by IGAR (South) to Maheshwar Thounaojam, the effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Manipur Chief Minister N Biren were also set on fire as part of the protest.
The Assam Rifles had on August 18 slapped the legal notice to Maheshwar for harming the reputation of the organisation and discouraging and demoralising the central armed police force.
Maheshwar had earlier told PTI that he would not apologise and he was entitled to free speech in a democratic country like India.
Assam Rifles sought a written and public apology for the "false allegation and defamation", asking him to retract the statement he made at 'Condolence of Meitei Martyrs' in Delhi on June 30 .
Speaking on the sidelines of a sit-in organised by All Manipur Chajing Clubs' Organisation (ALCCO) and Apunba Lilong Chajing Meira Paibi Lup (ALCMPL) at Lilong Chajing Bazar, Committee chairperson Maibam Benubala demanded withdrawal of the legal notice within 15 days, failing which various agitations would be launched.
She also urged all CSOs in Manipur to unite and work together, or else no cooperation will be extended to any of their activities.
During the sit-in, resolutions were adopted for immediate withdrawal of the legal notice to Maheshwar, removal of Assam Rifles from Manipur, withdrawal of SoO agreement with Kuki narco-terrorists and for all scattered CSOs to unite or else ALCCO and ALCMPL will cease to participate in any of the activities taken up.
Later, the protestors shouted slogans and torched effigies of PM Narendra Modi, union home minister Amit Shah, CM N Biren and BJP Manipur Pradesh president A Sharda.
Meanwhile, another group of Meira Paibi under the aegis of Committee carried out a rally from Mayai Lambi, Tiddim Road and Wahengbam Leikai, and converged at Keishampat Keisham Leikai community hall.
The protestors tried to meet the Governor and the chief minister for submitting a memorandum but were intercepted by police at Keishampat Junction, leading to a brief stand off.
Later, five people were selected to submit the memorandum to the Governor and CM.
The memorandum urged for instructing AR to withdraw the legal notice against Maheshwar, while iterating the aforementioned resolutions in addition to implementation of NRC, initiate strict legal action against Kuki-Chin militants and conduct land survey in hill areas.
On the other hand, sit-ins were staged by locals and Meira Paibi groups at Top Khongnangmakhong Mamang Leikai and Maning Leikai; Porompat DC Road, Kongpal Iranpham Thongkhong; Khurai Ningthoubung, Angom Mamang Leikai, Kangla Sangomsang, Khurai Popular School, Khurai Tharoijam Leirak, Laikhurembi Mandop, Sajor Leikai, Lamlong, Thangjam Mamang Leikai, Lamlong Keithel, Thoudam Leikai, Thangjam Leikai, Ahongei, Nongmaithem Leirak, Konsam Leikai, Nandeibam Leikai, Heikhrumakhong Pangei road, Pukhao Terapur, Pukhao Naharup Awang Leikai, Pukhao Naharup Makha Leikai, Pukhao Ahallup and Pukhao Khabam.
Sit-ins were also staged at Keishampat Aheibam Leikai, Keishamthong Hodam Leirak, Longjam Leirak, Elangbam Leikai, Ahanthem Leikai, Khagempali, Huidrom Leikai, Pishumthong, Haobam Marak, Hiyangthang, THAU ground, Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai, Nagamapal Soram Leirak; Film Forum Manipur, Lamphel; Wahengbam Leikai, Kangabam Leikai, Thokchom Leikai.
Keishampat Keisham Leikai and Thiyam Leikai, Sagolband Nepra Menjor Pukhri Mapal, Salam Leikai, Meino Leirak, Thangjam Leirak, Thingom Leikai and Tera Loukham Leirak, Naoremthong Khumanthem Leikai, Takyel Khongbal, Lamboi Khongnangkhong, Samusang Uku, Samusang, Naoremthong Khulem Leikai, Naoremthong Laishram Leikai, Tera Loukrakpam Leikai, Lukram Leirak Awang Leikai, Yambem Leikai, Yengkhom Leirak, Kham nam Leirak, Khamnam Bazar, Moirang Hanuba, Tongbram Leikai, Heinoupok, Takyel Kolom Leikai, Taobungk-hok Makha Leikai, Langjing Achouba; Patsoi Part-1,2 and 3; Moidangpok, Sagoltongba, and at Changanei Uchekon.
"The protest is part of the People's Disobedience Movement.
We are also requesting all employees of both the central and state governments to stop attending offices in response to the government's failure to pay due attention to the violence in Manipur since May 3," N Sharmila, a member of the committee, told reporters at Uripok.
A Shantilata, who participated in a demonstration at Bamon Leikai in Imphal East, said, "We strongly protest against the legal notice served to Maheshwar by the Assam Rifles.
He is the only politician and representative of the people, who has consistently raised the issue of unprovoked attacks on Meitei villagers." Local Meira Paibis also protested at New Checkon; Konung Mamang; Nongmeibung Ayangpalli Road, Ningthem Pukhri Mamang, Naharup Pangong Makhong, Kyamgei Pal Ahanbi, Ningom-thong Kitna Panung, Singjamei Thongam Leikai, Heingang Maning Leikai Thongkhong, Laipham Khunou, Kwakeithel Moirang Purel and Laishram Leikai, Achanbigei Makha Leikai; Yumnam Khunou, Khagempali Pangkha Ningom Leirak, Bamon Leikai, Ngakabram Leirak, Chingamathak, Brahmapur Chungkham Leikai, Kongba, RIMS Road, Uripok Tourangbam Leikai, Laikhurembi, Achom Leikai, Khumanthem Leikai, Sorbon Thingel and Ningthoukhongjam Leikai, Singjamei Mathak Chongtham Leikai, Singjamei Keithel, Langthabal Lep Awang Leikai, Langthabal Lep Mantrithong Awang Leikai, Kakwa Bazar, Irom Pukhri Mapal, Nongmeibung, Kodompokpi Lamkhai, Heirangoithong, and at Phoubakchao Ima Phouoibi Keithel.
In Bishnupur, sit-in protests were staged at Yumnam Khunou, Ngakchroupokpi Mayai Leikai, Nachou, Bishnupur Lumlangdong and Khoijuman Bazar on Saturday.
The Meira Paibis of Thoubal district also protested at Wangmataba Sorok Makha Magic Parking; in Thoubal Okram at Waikhom Mani Girls' College gate and Thoubal Parking; at Thoubal Kshetri Leikai, Kshetri Leikai High School and Tomjing Makhong; Yairipok Bazar Traffic Point, Yairipok Bamon Leikai, Charangpat Luxmi Bazar and Charangpat Mayai Leikai, Heirok Thokchom Leikai and Heirok Khuman; Mang Lampak, Thoubal Melaground, Loukham Leirak, Nongangk-hong Laibung Manak and Pakhangkhong Leirak Mari Phangba, Khongjom Circle, Samaram Lamkhai, Thoubal Athokpam Keithel and Thoubal Keithel Thong.
Meanwhile, in Kakching district, protests were staged at Lamjao Mayai Leikai, Awang Leikai and Makha Leikai, Laimanai Lamkhai, Langmeidong Bazar Awang, Langmeidong Maning Mayai Leikai, Langmeidong Maning Awang Leikai Pukhri Achouba, Langmeidong Keithel, Yangdong, Thounaojam, Thongjao Keithel, Waikhiong Keithel, Keirak Dam Manak Keithel Macha, Kakching Khunou Thongam, Umath el, Sugnu, Ibudhou Naohallai Laimang in Kakching Lamkhai and Kakching Keithel, and at Kakching Sumak Leikai Shengrong.
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