Imphal, April 19: Members of eleven women organizations have today resolved to boycott the upcoming Lok Sabha polls as a mark of protest against the apathy of the State Government towards the demand for removal of Armed Forces Special Power Act from the State.

Talking to mediapersons at the office of the All Manipur Women Social Reformation and Development Samaj today, the members lamented that security forces are unleashing a reign of terror in the State under the immunity granted by various draconian laws and further said innocent civilians are being brutally killed and young women raped in the name of counter insurgency.

Even though series of agitation have been launched against the army excesses by the public, security forces are still committing atrocities on innocent civilians without any signs of stopping in the near future, rued the members.

Recalling the RIMS, Heirangoithong, Tonsen Lamkhai, Oinam Khul massacres, the members lamented that it is meaningless to participate in the Lok Sabha polls as none of the State's MPs have been able to raise the army atrocities in the parliament.

Asserting that staging dharnas and holding rallies for the removal of draconian laws from the State would not have any effect on the authorities concerned, the members said that some drastic actions like boycotting the Lok Sabha polls should be pursued to make a greater impact on the authorities.

The women origination which attended the press conference are All Manipur Women Social Reformation and Development Samaj, All Manipur Tami Chingmi Apunba Nupi Lup, Nongpok Leingak Nupi Lup, Imphal West Women Development Organisation, Apunba Nupi Khunai Leishem Lup, Kongba Nongthombam Leikai Women Association, Thobal Dist United Women Development Organization, Sagolband Apunba LamjingNupi Lup, Paona Bazar Women Organization, All Manipur Shinai Lamjing Lup and Bishnupur Apunba Nupi Lup.

Election boycott: Manipur Forward Youth Front (MAFYF) will be boycotting both the upcoming inner and outer Lok Sabha polls, disclosed MAFYF president Kangleipal.

Speaking to mediapersons at the Manipur Press Club today, Kangleipal informed that the decision was taken as there was no purpose in electing MPs who are incapable of addressing our problems in the parliament and further said that past experiences of our MPs in the Parliament are simple testimonies of the incapabilities of our leaders.

He also appealed to the public to carefully think before casting their votes in the upcoming polls.