Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 15, 2009:
In continuation of the ongoing movement against the July 23 BT road firing, and sustaining the demand for the resignation of Chief Minister O ibobi Singh, members of MPP's Chanura Marup staged a sit-in-protest at the premises of the regional political party's office today.
The protest was participated by over 400 members of the Marup drawn from its district units.
Addressing the gathering, working president of the Chanura Marup, Shija Kunjeswori questioned the Government's much-hyped claim of favouring settlement of the insurgency movement through negotiations, which in reality is being contradicted by merciless gunning down of insurgent members.
With apparent reference to the BT road incident, she said inspite of the Government asking insurgent groups to lay down arms and give peace talks there is no end to instances of eliminating UG activists.
Asserting that whether of not party leaders approve such protest demonstration, the Chanura Marup has steely resolve to sustain the movement till demands of the people are honoured by the State Government, Kunjeswori also expressed that indifferent attitude of the SPF Government had been an important factor compelling the public to take to the streets to air grievances.
Speaking on the occasion, Marup president O Thoibi opined that as Chief Minister O ibobi Singh is not competent enough to rein-in police commandos he (Ibobi) do not deserve to be the CM.
Expressing shock that a pregnant Rabina Devi also got killed in the alleged firing by police commandos and that there is no punitive action initiated against the guilty security personnel, she questioned moral right of O Ibobi in continuing as the Chief Minister.
MPP president Dr Nimaichand Luwang, who also addressed the gathering conveyed that today's demonstration brings to the end the State and district level protests initiated by the MPP in denouncing the BT road incident.
He, however, proclaimed that similar protests would be sustained at the kendra level and street corner meetings.
The protest session culminated with the offering of floral tributes at the sites where Th Rabina Devi and Ch Sanjit were slain.
Returning towards the MPP office complex, the protestors raised slogans demanding resignation of O Ibobi Singh as the CM.