Rally staged against re-imposition of AFSPA

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 25 : Organisations in Imphal East joined hands to take out a rally along the Imphal-Yairipok road against the recent re-imposition of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 in areas under the jurisdiction of six police stations.
Notably the Centre re-imposed AFSPA in areas under the jurisdiction of Sekmai, Lamsang, Lamlai, Jiribam, Leimakhong, and Moirang police stations on November 14.
Following the re-imposition of the Act, many organisations have been demanding the withdrawal of the Central Government's decision and the State Government too had written to the Ministry of Home Affairs to review and revoke the reimposition of the Army Act.
Echoing the same demand for revocation of the recent order for re-imposition of AFSPA, organisations in Imphal East namely- Nupi Khunai, Yairipok; All Andro Meira Paibi Association; KHANAMPAL, Bamon Kampu; PALEM, Khurai; ANOMPAL, Sagolmang; KHEMPAL, Kshetrigao; MSF Imphal East District Committee; Imphal East District United Clubs' Organisation and AMAWOVA Imphal East unit took out a rally from Kongba OLA ground to Konung Mamang traffic island before culminating at the starting point.
The rallyists raised slogans demanding removal of AFSPA from Manipur, justice for 6 women and children from Jiribam who were brutally killed by Kuki militants; preservation of the State's territorial integrity. Placards reading the same were also displayed during the rally.
Speaking on the sidelines, president of Nupi Khunai Asem ongbi Ibetombi said the re-imposing AFSPA amidst the string of terror activities carried out by Kukis to threaten the integrity of the State is highly objectionable and unacceptable.
The people of the State have been advocating for the complete removal of the inhuman Act for decades and it was withdrawn from some select areas following a series of movements. However, bringing back the Act in the areas under 6 police stations is highly objectionable and the decision should be withdrawn at the earliest, she said.
Calling upon the State Government to either secure the life and properties of the people or wipe out the people completely instead of remaining indifferent to the suffering of the masses, she also strongly condemned the brutal killing of women and children after taking them hostage from Jiribam by Kuki militants.
The re-imposition of AFSPA in areas under some police stations at a time when the State is reeling under the relentless attack of marauding Kuki militants and the original inhabitants are being reduced to refugees, has forced the people of Manipur to rethink whether the State is still a part of India, she added.
She further said it was very unfortunate that the people of the State are kept in constant state of chaos and confusion despite being Indians. The rally ended without any untoward incident with police providing necessary assistance and taking up adequate security measures.