CPI decries Jiribam killings, AFSPA
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 18 2024: Communist Party of India (CPI) Manipur State Council organised a sit-in protest at Irawat Bhawan, here on Monday, demanding repeal of the Armed Forces' Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which was recently re-imposed in six police stations of the state and called for an early solution to the on-going violence in the state.

Speaking on the sidelines of the sit-in, CPI-MSC former secretary L Sotinkumar noted growing concerns about potential disintegration of Manipur's territorial integrity due to failure of the central and state BJP governments.

Stating that people of Manipur have been reduced to refugees in their own land ever since the conflict broke out on May 3 last year, he said there is apprehension that certain parts of the state's territory would be taken over by Kuki militants with full cooperation of the Modi-led government.

Sotinkumar continued that since May 3 last, the chief minister has been denied the entitled portfolio by the centre and the SoO remains unaffected.

He accused the central security forces deployed in the state of being inclined towards the Kukis, adding that the same has been proven repeatedly.

"But the CPI stands against such injustices," he asserted.

Sotinkumar then said that PM Modi has the time to tour other countries but no time to even utter a few words with regard to the killing of women and children by Kuki terrorists.

The CPI has pushed for a political solution to the crisis as it is political in nature.

However, there has been no action and even the PM himself refused to visit the state.

Stating that the party cannot tolerate the centre prolonging the crisis, he demanded for immediate resolution of the same, and protection of the integrity of the state.

He also informed that the party would continue to protests until all the issues are resolved.

Regarding AFSPA, he recounted that during the time of the UPA government, the CPI had warned of withdrawing support from the coalition government and subsequently, the Act was withdrawn from Imphal area.

The re-imposition of the Act will not be tolerated and thus, the party will continue to protest against the same, he conveyed.

During the sit-in, the protestors held placards inscribed with the slogans, "Save Manipur, Save Humanity, Withdraw AFSPA 1958" .

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