Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 19:
Following the failure of the Congress led SPF Government to release five of its arrested student activists within the deadline set today, Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) has announced its decision of going ahead with its 36-hour State wide general strike with effect from 6 am tomorrow till 6 pm of November 21.The student body has also issued a strong warning against anybody who defy the general strike.
The five student activists of MSF were arrested in connection with the agitation of Aided College students for restoration of normal classes and since then they have been lodged at Sajiwa Jail under NSA.
Charging the Chief Minister of singling out MSF and detaining the arrested student activists as a retributive action for the exposure made through the media on wide spread corruption within the Ibobi Ministry involving his relatives, officials and party workers during March/April earlier, assistant secretary information and publicity MSF Ningthoujam Somananda has also issued a boycott call of all the activities related to the Congress party with effect from November 22.Somananda explained that the decision of MSF to call the general strike should not be construed as sacrificing the interest of the public for the sake of its five arrested student activists but as a necessity of teaching a lesson to Ibobi for his alleged hand-handedness and his Government whose MLAs have been consistently giving half-hearted assurance of releasing the arrested student activists.
Somananda made it clear that during the strike no one should venture out on the streets even on the pretext of attending some religious function or tending sick people.
Parents should also ensure that their children do not come out on the empty streets to play cricket, etc.
Those who are in essential services should also carry their identity cards while performing their duties to avoid any sort of misunderstanding, he added.
MSF and its associated organisations have also made all necessary preparation to ensure the success of the general strike and would not hesitate to use catapults and petrol bomb to attack anybody who violate the strike, he informed.
The student leader threatened that MSF would give a hard time to Congress led SPF Government until and unless the arrested student activists are released and MSF allowed to function normally.
Somananda has also appealed to the owners of the buildings which are being rented out to Congress party for running offices to remove the signboard/party flag and to close down the same as precautionary measures to avoid destruction that might be caused to the neighbouring buildings when the volunteers target the party offices or its flags.
Meanwhile, demanding release of the arrested student activists immediately, The Working Committee of the Apunba Lup, All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO), Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU), Mayai Lambi Meira Paibi Lup (Malampal), All Manipur Women Voluntary Association (AMAWOVA), Meira Paibi Welfare Association, Kangleipak (MEPWAK), Poirei Apunba Leimarol Meira Paibi (PALEM), Salai Apunba Nupi Lamjing Lup, etc have announced their decision of extending unflinching support to the general strike being called by MSF.