Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 22:
Stepping up the boycott of goods manufactured beyond the North Eastern Region as part of the ongoing public demand for complete withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur, volunteers of Kongpal Tinsid Road Awang Leikai Nupi Lup today destroyed a large quantity of packaged water and cold drink bottles.
The packaged water bottles and cold drinks were seized from shops and kiosks selling them despite the boycott call given by the 32 organisations spearheading the movement.The bottles were later piled up in a heap near the Tinsid Road bridge and set on fire after dousing them with petrol a bonfire amidst slogan shouting demanding lifting of the Act completely and denouncing excesses of the security forces on the people of Manipur.
Speaking to reporters at the occasion, the agitating women activists said that they would continue their drive against selling of these ban products and gave strong warning to the shopkeepers against stocking these products.
On the other hand, around 500 local Meira Paibis today staged a sit-in-protest demonstration demanding total lifting of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from entire Manipur.
The demonstration commenced from 10 am and continued till late in the afternoon.
The women demonstrators also shouted slogans demanding fitting punishment to punishment of Assam Rifles personnel responsible for brutal killing of Saichang village pastor Jamkholet Khongsai and Thangjam Manorama as well as withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from whole of Manipur.