Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 31:
Maintaining that the by election scheduled to be held for Konthoujam Assembly Constituency is nothing but a ploy to divert people's attention from the present agitation against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup has today asked all to stop election related activities.
In a statement issued to the press today, the Lup asked all intending candidates and members of political parties, particularly the Congress and the CPI, to put on hold all election related activities as such activities have the potential to dilute the present agitation.
On the proposed DNA test to be conducted on the Assam Rifles personnel, the statement said that no room for manipulations should be given and suggested that the DNA test be conducted by the Internal Security Agency Laboratory attached with Scotland Yard.
The Apunba Lup also strongly condemned the assault of a Manipuri bus driver by unidentified persons at Bokaghat in Assam on the ground that the people of Manipur had disgraced the Assam Rifles.
Such acts amount to pushing the people of Manipur away from mainland India.
The bus driver has been identified as Ch Holendro (35) of Lamshang.
The statement further said that the remarks of Union Home Minister Shivraj to the State Opposition parties, that the Centre will look into the demand of the people to lift the AFSPA from the State, exposes the fact that Delhi has been turning a deaf ear to the 50 day long agitation launched by the people.
Strongly condemning the police excesses, the Lup said that harassing and arresting the friends of Pebam Chittaranjan and his family members will not serve any purpose and added that this will only strengthen the people's resolve to continue with the agitation.
It is also highly unbecoming of the State police to launch operations using �Zorros� in the name of counter-insurgency operation while in fact they are trying to hunt down the protestors, said the statement and added that the protestors are not underground cadres but civilians.
Sounding a stern warning against all those who have been trying to derail the present movement, by receiving some benefits from the Government, the Lup said that it may be constrained the publish the names of such elements so that they may be taught a fitting lesson at the appropriate time.