Imphal, August 22: Intensifying the ongoing demand for the removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act and punishment of the killers of Thangjam Manorama and Pastor Jamkholet Khongsai, a massive public rally organised by the Apunba Lup was taken out at the Wabagai area today.

The rally which began at around 1 pm came from two directions and finally converged at the Wabagai Higher Secondary School.

The rallyists also shouted slogans like "Remove AFSPA from the State', "Punish the guilty AR personnel'," "Stop army atrocities" etc during the course of the rally.

Meira paibis and youths of Keirak, Lamjao, Wabagai, Tejpur, Langui-dong, Laimanai, Leirak Achouba, Hiyanglam, Sek-maijin and Tera Pishak participated in the rally.

After the rally, a public meeting was held at the Wabagai Higher Secondary with the local meira paibi leaders attending the meeting as the presidium members.

Leaders who spoke on the occasion, mainly stressed on the negative aspects of the dreaded Act and the atrocities that the civilians have had to suffer at the hands of the security personnel.

At the concluding part of the meeting, the agitators set ablaze the effigies of AICC president Sonia Gandhi, Chief Minister O Ibobi and clothes and other goods manufactured outside the North East region of the country as a mark of protest against the State and the Central Govt's refusal to meet the demands of the people.

Members present at the meeting besides demanding the resignation of all the Minister and MLAs also resolved to boycott the Ministers/MLAs with immediate effect.

The members also warned both the State Govt and the Central leaders to lift the dread act from the State immediately failing which the members would be forced to take the help of foreign countries.

A two minute silence was also observed by the public before the public meeting in memory of AFSPA victims.

Wakat Khongchat: Responding to the call of the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup, observation of the month long Wakat Khongchat began at different places in the State with people from all walks of life participating in the new form of protest.

At Ukhongshang, meira paibis of the area staged a protest at the Irabot High School and shouted slogans demanding the immediate removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State.

They also expressed their unstinted support to the ongoing agitation launched by the Apunba Lup.

As a part of the Wakat Khongchat, meira paibis of Salungpham area also staged a protest at Salungpham Ching Tam High School denouncing the prolonged imposition of AFSPA in the State.

Appealing to the State Govt to lift the dreaded black laws from the State as quickly as possible, the meira paibis also warned of preventing the Govt employees from attending their respective offices if the Govt fails to meet the demands of the people within a short period.

Meira paibis of Ukhongshang and Salungpham also donated a sum of Rs 200 each to the Apunba Lup.

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