48-hour general strike begins
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 14 2024: Decrying the arrest of three members of the Pambei-led United National Liberation Front (UNLF), which recently signed a ceasefire agreement with the Government of India, and demanding their unconditional release, different CSOs and Meira Paibi groups called a 48-hour state-wide general strike from the intervening night of Thursday and Friday.

The UNLF leaders were arrested from Kwakeithel Ningthemkol area on Wednesday morning with different organisations demanding their unconditional release by 12 noon Thursday while cautioning of launching intense forms of agitation.

Consequently, the general strike was called after a joint meeting of Federation of Civil Societies Organisation (FOCS), Kangleipak, MWF, IPOM, UMO, WMC, KKJCC, Yelhoumee Kanba Lup, Apunba Senmitlon, Singjamei Apunba Nupi Lup, All Lilong Chajing Meira Paibi, MMWO and MCM.

Addressing a press meet at the office of Manipur Women's Federation (MWF) at Kakwa Boroimakhong on Thursday, FOCS president Th Manihar said that the arrest of three leaders of the Pambei-led UNLF is an insult not only to the organisation but to the people of the state.

The state government should not ignore the matter but do the needful for their unconditional release, he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, eight organisations made a joint statement demanding their unconditional release by Thursday noon.

As the government has failed to acknowledge their demand, the 13 civil organisations are jointly imposing the 48-hour general strike.

They may also boycott the forthcoming Lok Sabha election if the government ignores their demand, he said.

Manihar also appealed to all sections of the society to support the general strike.

He, however, said that essential services will be exempted from the purview of the general strike.

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