Imphal, August 31: A mass sit-in-protest demonstration was held at Nongpok Keithelmanbi Bazar today demanding complete lifting of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur and fitting punishment to AR personnel responsible for the killing of Thangjam Manorama and Saichang village pastor Jamkholet Khongsai.

People including young students belonging to various communities took part in the demonstration held from 9 am to 3 pm.

General strike: In support of the ongoing mass agitation being spearheaded by 32 organisations for withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur, a 12-hour general strike has been called with effect from 5 am of September 1 in areas under the jurisdiction of Brahmapur Mangjil Women�s Welfare Association, Khongman Zone-I-V Meira paibi, Women�s Welfare Association, Kongba Road, Singjamei Bheigyabati Leikai Meira Paibi, Brahmapur Lalji Lakpa Leikai Women�s Association and Brahmapur Social Women Development Organisation, Aribam Leikai.

Bandh called: To protest against the prolonged imposition of AFSPA in the State detention of leaders of various organisation, Nongpok Leingak Nupi Lup Wangkhei has called a general strike on road strech between Kongba Bazar and Sanjengthong on September 2 from 5 am to 6 pm.

Stepping up the ongoing agitation for the removal of AFSPA from the State, several organisations of the Khonghampat and Pheidinga area have imposed a 12 hr bandh on the NH 39 from 5 am to 6 pm tomorrow.

Violators will be sternly dealt, said the bodies.

The organisation which have called the 12 hrs bandh are Khonghampat Mayai Leikai, Pheidinga Development Committee, Khonghampat Young Pioneers Club, Maharabi Young Club.

Students� agitation: Police personnel had to resort to firing rubber bullets and tear gas shells to disperse a large group of students of Wangoo Sagang High School at Wangoo Sagang this afternoon at around 12.30 pm, said sources.

The students were proceeding towards the residence of Kumbi MLA Mangi for surrendering their text books when the security forces intercepted them at Wangoo Sagang.

Meanwhile, members of the Social Action Committee and Apunba Nupi Chaokhat Lup Borayangbi in a meeting held at Borayangbi community hall today have demanded all the State MLAs in general and Kumbi MLA Ningthoujam Mangi Singh in particular to resign immediately if they cannot scrapped the AFSPA from the State.

In another incident a police team of Moirang PS arrested two school teachers of Moirang today accusing them of being involved in the students agitation in the area.

The two arrested teachers have been identified as Asst teacher Hamom Dilip of Chaobi English School Wangoo Laipham and Naorem Ratan of TM English School Wangoo Ahallup.

Lup demands: Miyamgi Yaipha Nupi Lup, Khongman has demanded release of all the public leaders who have been detained in police custody under NSA for the alleged role in the ongoing agitation for complete removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur.

Union flays: Ideal Girls� College Students� Union, Akampat has flayed police action on the protestors demanding revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur and detaining public leaders spearheading the movement under NSA.

Use of such brute force against the agitators would be able to quell the voice of the people and solve the present problem, a Union statement said.

The Oriental College Students� Union has also strongly condemned use of force by security personnel and detention of some of the college students who have gone to surrender their text books to Governor protesting against imposition of AFSPA today.

Class boycott: To express their resentment against the indifferent attitude of the State Govt towards the public demand for revocation of black laws from Manipur, students of Meitei Mayek High School, Kongba Bazar today boycotted their classes.

They also appealed to students of other schools to follow suit.

Tributes paid: Rich floral tributes have been paid to Pebam Chittaranjan and Konjengbam Memita who made supreme sacrifices for the cause of removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur during a function organised by Lamlong Keithel Phambi Apunba Lup today.

Candles lit: Torches and candles were lighted at different places today in connection with the shradh ceremony of Pebam Chittaranjan Mangang.

Police personnel allegedly put off the candles and drove their vehicles over the candles lighted along Tiddim Road.

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