Sit-ins demand release of detained protesters
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 24 2023:
Demanding unconditional release of civilian protesters, who were arrested by police on the alleged false charge of the torching a car belonging to an IGP of Manipur Police Department at Kwakeithel on July 17; a sit-in protest was staged by Ghari Apunba Meira Paibi at Ghari Awang Leikai community hall on Monday.
Speaking on the sidelines, Meira Pabi Oinam Geeta contended that all 30 people arrested in connection with the incident are innocent and have nothing to do with the act of arson.
The police arrested them from different locations and slapped them with false charges.
One such individual is Koi-jam Umakanta alias Thoinao (29) s/o K Inaocha of Ghari Awang Leikai, who is working at Manipur Police.
He was arrested on the night of the incident and an FIR was filed against him.
Umakanta had returned after a football game and was picked up by police from Ghari Awang Leikai Lamjang, she conveyed, while condemning the arrest.
Of the 30 arfested, nine people have been granted bail.
Thus, she urged for the remaining 21 people to be released without any condition.
On the other hand, one Wahengbam Mirabai of Ghari Awang Leikai, who witnessed Umakanta's arrest, said that Umakanta was returning after playing football.
At the time, some Meira Paibis was present at Ghari Awang Leikai community hall including her.
The Meira Paibi members and Umakanta talked a bit and were trying to get to their homes when two police vehicles came from the direction of Malom and picked up Umakanta without furnishing any explanation.
The police also fired several tear gas shells at the group so as whisk him away.
Condemning the arrest, she urged against arresting innocent civilians and charging them with false crimes, while further demanding the release of all arrested individ uals without any condition.
On Sunday, womenfolk of Kwakeithel Langpoklakpam Leikai also staged a sit-in protest at Kwakeithel Lam-dong Leikai community hall, demanding the unconditional release of the 21 people arrested on the charge of torching the IGP's vehicle on July 17 night.
One of the protestors urged for release of the 21 detained people without any condition after they are produced before the court of CJM Imphal West on July 26.The protestor then warned of launching intense agitations with likeminded CSOs and Meira Paibi groups in case of failure to honour the humble proposal.
During the sit-in, the protestors held placards displaying that the arrested individuals are innocent civilians and should be released without any condition.