Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 01:
Taking serious note of the rising trend of arresting innocent civilians by security forces in the dead of night without issuing any arrest memos, Manipur Forward Youth Front (MAFYF) has today informed that an 18 hr State general strike would be called in the State every time a person is picked up by security forces without an arrest memo.
Speaking at a press conference at the Manipur Press Club today, MAFYF president Sapamacha Kangleipal asserted that the army atrocities which began simultaneously with the rise of insurgency movement in the State in the late seventies has reached a very critical stage where citizens are being treated like commodities and discarded anytime at the whims of security force personnel.
He also said that Ministers and MLAs who are elected and equally responsible for looking after the welfare of the people and society have completely forgotten the people in their attempt to accumulate wealth for their own comfort without any concern for the commoners who are always at the receiving end of the security force brutality.
Even though the Supreme court has strictly directed the army authorities to issue arrest memos during arrest of any suspects, army authorities have violated the directives at will without any regard for the Supreme Court regulation, said Sapamcha while adding that the army's actions is an open insult to the country's judiciary system and testimony of their hatred towards the people of Manipur.
Elaborating on the general strikes, Sapamcha said that the future of general strikes in the State lies in the hands of the army authorities and the State Government as the MAFYF had already reaffirmed its decision to launch the agitation that is considered necessary to highlight abuse of human rights.
Recalling the pre-poll assurances given by the CM with regard to removing Disturbed Area status from the State, Sapamcha said that the CM instead of removing it from the State has further extended it for another year citing the now familiar uncertain law and order.