Imphal, August 13: The decision of the State Cabinet to lift Disturbed Area Act under Section III of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Imphal Municipal areas on a trial basis seems to have stirred up yet another hornet's nest with many social organisations denouncing the move as a divide and rule policy of the Government even as Zeliangrong United Clubs' Association, Manipur Valley (ZUCAM-V) and has imposed a 15-hour total bandh in Greater Imphal area tomorrow.

The 15-hour total bandh is followed suit by local organizations and students' bodies calling general strikes and bandhs in many pockets of Greater Imphal areas against the partial lifting of DAA.

Expressing strong reservations against the State Government's decision of lifting the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Imphal Municipal area only, Zeliangrong United Clubs' Association, Manipur Valley called the total bandh in all Greater Imphal area with effect from 4 am to 6 pm tomorrow.

Pointing out that the people who are actually bearing the brunt of the draconian Act are those living in rural and hill areas, Association president Meibon Phaomei asserted that the Cabinet decision to lift Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Imphal Municipal area only is nothing but to save the skin of the present Council of Ministers.

The narrow outlook of the Cabinet has yet again confirmed that State leaders are incompetent to hold the reins of power any longer, Phaomei said, while appealing to all the people to co-operate and support the bandh being called to protest the decision.

Meanwhile, AMSU Singjamei Branch, MSF Singjamei Branch, DESAM Singjamei Local Council, United People's Action Cemmittee and Chingamakha Apunba Lup have jointly imposed a 24-hour general strike in and around Singjamei area from midnight of August 13 to midnight of August 14 demanding lifting of AFSPA entirely from Manipur.

For the same cause, Salai Apunba Nupi Lamjing Lup, Singjamei Chingamakha Meisnam Leikai has called another bandh in Singjamei areas like Naorem Leikai, Maibam Leikai, etc with effect from 6 am to 6 pm tomorrow.

Lamlong Keithel Phambi Apunba Lup, Nupi Lamjing Lup, Khurai Thoudam Leikai, Khurai Thanjam Leikai MeiraPaibi,UPC/YSS, EEC, KGC and YDO have also jointly called a general strike from Khurai Telipati Area to Lamlong Bazar from 5 am to 7 pm tomorrow.

Similarly, Majorkhul Young Assn, Imphal, while extending its support to the vongoing movement for complete withdrawal of AFSPA from Manipur has also called closure of all shops and others business establishment in MG Avenue, Kalibari and Majorkhul area from 6 am to 6 pm tomorrow.

Denouncing the State Cabinet decision the lifting AFSPA from Imphal Municipal area only, Manipur Intellectual Forum (MIF) has termed it as a divide and rule policy being pursued by the Government among the people of the Slate.

Expressing similar sentiment, Meira Paibis Apunba Lup also demanded lifting of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur completely.

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