Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 21:
FPM MLA of Keishamthong Assembly Constituency L Ibomcha along with 11 other people today protested in front of Raj Bhawan here demanding removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 from Manipur in defiance of curfew and police action.
The incident took place at around 12:15 pm.
Despite the stringent security measures being taken up around Raj Bhawan, the MLA led the 11 people and staged a sit-in-protest just in front of the Raj Bhawan gate.
The security personnel deployed in the area were taken by surprise and urged the protestors to return.
But the MLA and his men continued with their protest, raising slogans.
Finally Imphal West SP and the SDPO herded them into a waiting security van and drove them to Imphal Police Station where they were detained.
They were, however, released at around 4 pm on PR bonds.
Federal Party MLA I Hemochandra along with eight Councillors of Imphal Municipal Council had also staged a similar demonstration in front of the Raj Bhawan yesterday.
Even as the MLA and his followers were being herded off, eight women protestors came towards the Raj Bhawan from the southern side carrying festoons with �Punish Guilty Army Personnel� written in big-bold letters.
As they continued to proceed towards Raj Bhawan braving numerous tear gas shells fired by security personnel, women Home Guard personnel swung into action and arrested all of them.
All eight of them were also released from the police station at around 4 pm.
Talking to The Sangai Express, after his release, Ibomcha said that the two-day long State visit of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Prakash Jaiswal, who left for New Delhi this afternoon, was more like a tourist sojourn to taste the rich cuisines of Manipur.
He did not give any concrete assurance to the demand for lifting the Armed Forces Special Power Act from Manipur, Ibomcha noted.
The announcement of the Union Minister that August 15 is the deadline for taking a definite decision on the question of lifting Disturbed Area Status is also unacceptable as it should be lifted immediately, the MLA demanded.
Ibomcha also resented the Union Minister for not visiting the bereaved family members of Thangjam Manorama of Bamon Kampu nor at the stretch of NH-39 where mud and landslides have snapped surface communication for the last many days.