UG groups boycott R-Day, call general strike
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 21, 2011: Together with boycotting the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations, several underground organisations have imposed a general strike all over the State on January 26.A press release issued by the permanent body of the MPLF recalled that Manipur became a republic with the formation of a popular Government through adult franchise under the Manipur State Constitution Act 1948. After Manipur was made to become a part of India through treachery and deceit, on October 15, 1949, the Indian Republic Day was also celebrated in the region including Manipur starting from January 26, 1950 signifying imposition of the Indian Constitution with an ulterior motive to keep the region under alien rule for good.

Now it is exactly 61 years since the Indian Constitution was imposed in the region.

However, the Government of India has failed miserably to protect fundamental rights of the people of the region including the most basic right to life.

Rather, New Delhi has been scheming to create divisions and conflicts among different communities of the region under the garb of democracy.

It further appealed to all the people of Manipur not to participate in the Republic Day celebrations or allow organisation of any event related to the Republic Day.

It also appealed to all the people not to venture out of their homes and also, not to stage any entertainment programme on the day.

All business activities and transport services including flight service should be suspended on January 26.However, media, medical service and religious services would be exempted from the purview of the general strike which would be enforced from 1 am of January 26 till 5.30 pm of the same day.

Joining the boycott call, the proscribed KCP has categorically stated that it would not allow celebration of Republic Day on the soil of Manipur nor should people join any such celebration.

A press release issued by Yaiphaba of the outfit's information and public relations department alleged that January 26, 1950 was the day when the alien rule was enforced in Manipur.

Anybody defying the ban on participation in Republic Day celebrations would be viewed as supporters of the alien rule, Yaiphaba said.

The armed outfit KCP-MC has also called general strike from 5 am to 5 pm of January 26 alleging that it was the day when Indian Constitution was imposed upon the people of Kangleipak.

Asserting that Manipur that India, through treachery forced king Bodhchandra to sign the Merger Agreement under duress in 1949 at Shillong, a press release issued by the outfit's publicity officer Washington Meitei said that this event was the root cause of the ongoing liberation movement.

There is no reason for the people of Manipur to join the Republic Day celebrations.

It also called a 12 hours general strike on January 26 which would come into effect from 5 am.

While appealing to the people not to attend the Republic Day celebrations, the outfit informed that religious and medical services would be excluded from the purview of the general strike.

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