Bodies appeal for relaxing bandh
Source: The Sangai Express / NNN

Imphal, December 22 2012: Pledging support to the ongoing agitation against the molestation and assault of three Manipuri film artistes by a top NSCN (IM) cadre at a Chandel district event on December 18, United Committee Manipur (UCM), Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) and All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) have appealed for relaxing/suspending the indefinite bandh call in view of the upcoming Christmas festival.

UCM on Saturday appealed to the general public especially the Film Forum Manipur (FFM), Manipur State Shumang Leela Council (MSSLC) and other civil society organizations in the state which have been imposing an indefinite Manipur bandh over the Chandel incident to relax Christmas festival related activities from the purview of the strike and exercise restraint as much as possible while protesting to avoid "communal tension" .

However, the general strike by FFM and MSSLC is a "right move" and UCM will render full support to it, Y Nabachandra, president, UCM told a news conference at the committee's office here.

Flaying both the state and central Governments for not taking prompt action over the incident, Nabachandra urged the FFM and MSSLC to go on with the stir saying it is utmost necessary.

He condemned the two Governments and blamed them for the public protest saying they did not take action timely over the issue.

The UCM leader alleged that the act of Livingstone, the NSCN-IM cadre was communal and that the Manipur police and Assam Rifles personnel who were present at the scene had shown as if they had authorized the Naga outfit cadres to commit such crime right under their nose.

"The NSCN-IM has failed to know its real enemy and its cadres are whirling against their sisters and committing such type of crime," Nabachandra accused while asserting that such act can never lead to the path of success and neither it can make them achieve their demand.

He said it would be far better for the NSCN-IM to maintain the age-old peaceful-co-existence and communal harmony in Manipur.

The Chandel incident occurred December 18 evening at a concert organized by Mahamani Women's Society at a High School ground, Chandel bazaar, Chandel district.

Actress Momoko accused one Livingstone, a cadre of NSCN-IM of molesting her before physically assaulting her as hundreds of people including police and Assam Rifles personnel were enjoying it.

Livingstone, who had accompanied other three cadres of the outfit, fired several shots, it was alleged.

Decrying the incident, the FFM and MSSLC in collaboration with different NGOs have enforced an indefinite Manipur bandh since last midnight.

KIM appeals: While registering its condemnation over the Chandel incident where a popular film actress was molested, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has appealed the Film Forum Manipur to lift/call off the indefinite statewide bandh considering the upcoming Christmas celebration.

In a statement, general secretary of KIM, Khaimang Chongloi registered vehement condemnation over the 'barbaric' and 'satanic' act in which a popular Manipuri film actress Momoko Devi was molested and life attempt on other two artists by one Livingstone Anal, an NSCN cadre.

The KIM also urged the Government to act promptly in order to book the culprits at the earliest time and punish the culprit as per law of the land.

Further, the KIM fervently appealed the Film Forum Manipur to call off the indefinite statewide bandh considering the coming Christmas celebration.

AMCO: The All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) has said though it stands with those groups who are condemning the Momoko incident of Chandel, calling a state-wide bandh to press the demand for punishing of the perpetrator is a wrong step.

"We stand with all those who condemn the unfortunate incident that befell Ms.Momoko at Chandel.

Without doubt it was a beastly act without excuse.

However, it would be tragedy upon tragedy to press the demand for a just punishment of the perpetrator with a state-wide bandh, especially at this time of the year," AMCO stated.

Christmas season is in full swing and many brethren from the hills are deprived of the opportunity of last minute Christmas shopping, and many of them who are already here in Imphal are stuck and not able to go back, it added.

"Moreover, we also have the assurance from the state government of its utmost effort to nab the culprit.

So we would like to make an earnest appeal to the Momoko JAC to lift up the indefinite bandh at the earliest.

Prolonging the bandh will only victimise all of us," it cautions.

ATSUM: ATSUM has appealed those organisations imposing the indefinite bandh to recall their agitation in the interest of the people and to bring back the spirit of Christmas.

While expressing their deep concern to the victims of assault and intimation, ATSUM has called on the organisations concerned to use their wisdom and sanity and to recall the bandh.

'To call such bandh at this juncture when people are returning home to meet their loved and dear ones, when people are on a shopping spree, etc would only dilute and undermine the issues involved and its demand for justice,' said the ATSUM release signed by its President Muan Tombing.

Needless to say, NET, IBPS, CWE exams and other impending interviews are on the card causing great difficulties and psychological inconveniences to the candidates, it added.

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