Protest held against transfer of case to Assam
Source: Chronicle News Service
Thoubal, August 30 2023:
Locals of Nongpok Sekmai and surrounding areas under the aegis of Nongpok Sekmai Apunba Meira Paibi and local clubs organised a sit-in protest at Nongpok Ningthou Panthoibi Shanglen against transfer of the May 4 viral Video case to Assam.
Protestors demanded the government to drop charges levelled against people not involved in the incident, release the arrested persons and not to transfer the case to Assam.
They threatened to launch intense forms of agitation against the state government if the case is transferred to Guwahati.
The protestors also decried the silence of the government over the May 3 gang-rape of a Meetei woman by Kuki mob and accused the government of showing partiality in handling the current situation.
They also demanded a special session of the state assembly at the earliest to discuss the current crisis while dubbing the recent assembly session as a drama and advised the Assam Rifles to withdraw the lawsuit against Maheshwar Thounaojam to avoid facing unwanted situation.
The Justice Unity Peace and Security Organisation (JUPSO), Shikhong Bazar and Shikhong Bazar Meira Paibi also organised a sit-in protest with similar demands at Sikhong Keithel.
The protest was joined by residents of Shikhong, Shikhong Khumbi and Nongpok Sekmai.
The protestors said that apart from other concerns, the families of the accused will face huge financial burden in hiring lawyers and going to Guwahati for the trial of the case is transferred to Assam.
Similar protests were also held at Ukhongshang Keithel by Ukhongshang Apunba Meira Paibi Lup and local club; Lourembam Lamkhai by Lourembam Apunba Meira Paibi and local club; and Pechi Youth Development Club premises by the club and Pechi Apunba Meira Paibi Lup.
Protestors held placards decrying failure of the government to enforce rule of law in hills, absence of governance in Kuki inhabited areas, and also demanding removal of Assam Rifles from the state, restoration of peace, not to transfer May 4 viral video case to Assam, upholding state's territoiy and identity among others.