Imphal, August 30: Yelhou Meetei Chingmee-Tammee Inat Apunba Lup, Kangla has urged the Prime Minister for withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 from the entire Manipur and declaration of unilateral ceasefire with all the underground outfits of the region.

In a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the Lup which is conglomerate of 17 different organisations asserted that the people of the state have been living a miserable life since the day Armed Forces Special Powers Act was enforced.

The misery of the people under the oppressive Act can not be expressed as the grievances are manifold in terms of sexual harassment, custodial death, fake encounters among others, the memorandum stated.

Giving a detail accounts of the ongoing agitation for withdrawal of the Act which gives unrestrained powers to the security personnel in the wake of the brutal killing of Thangjam Manorama Devi in the custody of 17 Assam Rifles, the memorandum emphasised on removing the Act immediately in order to bring normalcy in the region.

The memorandum also demanded declaration of unilateral ceasefire by the Government of India with all the underground outfits operating in the region as well as for personal visit of the Prime Minister to assess the present scenario of Manipur.

The constituent bodies of the Lup representing indigenous people of the land, which have jointly submitted the memorandum are Apokpa Marup, Naharol Meetei Marup, Meetei Marup, Meetei Leipak; Meetei Marup, Keishmapt, Yek Taret Enat Sandokpa Lup, Leimarol Meira Paibi Thougal Lup; Sanamahi Laining Lup; Malem Leishemkol, Kangla; United Khulmee National Council, Meetei Phurup, Tera Keithel; Meetei Kanba Lup, Malem Yaiphasang, Poirei Imalon Laining Lup; Loinasilon Apunba; Meetei Council, Moreh; Hou Khunnai Enat Thousil Lup and AMMSHAL, Tamenglong.

It may be noted here that the memorandum was an outcome of a joint public meeting held on August 11 at Manipur Dramatic Union, Yaiskul Police Lane on the issue of present turmoil in the State.

Meanwhile, Miyamgi Yaipha Nupi Lup, Khongman has decried use of force by the police against the people of Manipur who are demanding revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

In a statement Lup president N Shanti Devi said that the people have their rights to protest in a democratic country and the Govt should look into the grievances of the people instead of trying to muffle their voice.

Such repressive measures would only anger the people, she asserted, while appealing to the Government for taking up steps for withdrawing the Act at the earliest possible in the interest of the people.

Release appeal: Decrying use of force against the protestors demanding complete withdrawal of AFSPA from Manipur, the Langjing Makha Leikai Women�s Welfare Assn has as demanded release of all the arrested public leaders who are being detained under NSA immediately.

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