Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 31:
Angry protestors today stormed the house of Nambol Assembly Constituency MLA and LDA chairman N Loken Singh and demonstrated there demanding revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 from Manipur and punishment of guilty 17 Assam Rifles personnel involved in killing of Thangjam Manorama Devi.
A large number of students and meira paibis of the area descended at the Leimapokpam Mayai Leikai residence of the MLA and demonstrated there at about 1.30 pm.
Loken was also present when the protestors came to his house and he came out to talk with them.
The agitators demanded the MLA for public proclamation of his stand on the demand for lifting AFSPA from Manipur.
But Loken pacified the agitators to wait till August 15, as announced by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.
Loken nevertheless asserted that he will do everything within his means and would not hesitate to sacrifice his own life in the event of the Chief Minister not able to keep his word.
People can hang me to death if I belied the trust of the people, Loken stated resolutely.
Taking a touch posture, the MLA further asked why the people have to revolt against killing by security personnel only, while they keep mum when underground activists commit similar crime.
Even in the present crisis, people should demand for handing over to the State Government those surrenderees used by the Army personnel in perpetrating crimes.
It is these surrenderees who are to blame, he added.
Notwithstanding the assurance of the MLA, the angry protestors continued demonstration for more than an hour till security personnel arrived on the spot and dispersed them.
Meanwhile, stepping up the ongoing agitation for the removal of AFSPA, a large number of meira paibis burnt the effigy of Oinam A/C MLA L Radhakishore inside the compound of the MLA's private residence located at Keinou Thongkha this afternoon at around 3, said sources adding informed the MLA was not at home when the incident took place.
Security guards of the MLA fired several rounds in the air in their bid to disperse the mob which had gathered at the MLAs residence.
Following the incident a public meeting was also held at the MLA's residence in connection with the ongoing public protest against the killing of Manorama and growing demand for removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State.
Sit-in-protest was also staged the entrance gate of Minister Govindas Konthoujam's Ningthoukhong residence.
Meanwhile, Nambol City Bus Owners� Co-operative Society Limited has demanded release of the two buses (MN01-1327 and MN05-0255) seized by the police.