Imphal, October 12: Even as agitations denouncing alleged indifferent attitude of the Government to public appeal for repealing Armed forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 persist, Working Committee of the apunba Lup, All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU), Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) and Kangleipak Students' Association (KSA) have announced boycott of the forthcoming visit of the President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

These bodies also declared different form of agitation to coincide with the President's second sojourn to Manipur with the Apunba Lup imposing a nine hour general strike from 5 am till 2 pm of October 16 while the student bodies said students would boycott classes on this day.

An Apunba Lup statement maintained that the boycott call is being given to condemn continued suffocation of democratic movement for protection of human rights as was witnessed in yesterday's crackdown upon peaceful agitators at New Delhi.

Opining that the police high-handedness reflect yet another manifestation of State-sponsored terrorism with the perpetrators immune to any form of punitive action under the immunity granted by AFSPA 1958, the Lup condemned that such an act of security force excesses is being committed in the largest democratic country.

The Lup a conglomerate of numerous civil society organisations further appealed to the people to participate in the mass rally/sit-in-protest from 10 am tomorrow and refrain from organising any form of entertainment programmes.

Explaining on their decision to boycott the President's visit, a joint statement of AMSU, DESAM and KSA accused Dr Abdul Kalam for failing to protect lives of the citizen.

As the head of the State muted silence of the President of India to suffering of Manipuris is unacceptable as grievances of the people had already been highlighted through numerous memoranda from different section of the Manipuri society, contended the student bodies.

With the suffering public anticipating some concrete action to redress their despair and anxiety from the Government, inaction of the President on the crucial issue of demand for repealing AFSPA leaves no room for considering a hearty welcome to Dr Kalam, they observed.

Therefore, to protest the President's inconsiderate attitude students would boycott classes on October 16, declared AMSU, DESAM and KSA.

Mention may be made that under the joint aegis of Working Committee of the Apunba Lup, Manipur Students' Association Delhi and Delhi Association of Manipur Muslim Students a massive protest rally was organised at New Delhi yesterday to express solidarity to Irom Chanu Sharmila who is currently persisting with her hunger strike agitation at an AIIMS ward against the continued imposition of AFSPA.

Meanwhile, scrap AFSPA 1958, save Sharmila and condemnation choruses against the Government's callous attitude to public aspiration for complete repealing of the repressive Act continues to reverberate throughout the State.

In solidarity with the peaceful campaign of Irom Chanu sharmila and responding to the call of the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup, All manipur Rickshaw Drivers and Pullers' Welfare Association organised sit-in-protests at various places today.

The spots where rickshaw pullers staged the agitation at their respective parking zones are Lilashing Khongnangkhong, Khuman lampak Bus Terminus Gate, JN Hospital, RIMS Gate, Keishampat Junction and near the entrance of the Johnstone Higher Secondary School.

However, personnel of City Police station pulled down shamiana and scattered mattresses when shopkeepers in the vicinity of MG avenue, Kangla Pat road and Season's Market were about to join a protest session organised by MeelaL near the Imphal Municipal Council office.

The protest was, nevertheless, staged in the open sky.

A MEELAL representative taking serious note of the police high-handed-ness opined that the crackdown against democratic movement is akin to invigorating the already tense situation.

At Chingmeirong Traffic point, local meira paibis and students of nearby institutions staged sit-in-protest demanding repealing of the draconian Act and expressing solidarity to Sharmila.

While members of Manipur State Shumang Leela Council demonstrated at Palace Compound meira paibis protested the Act at Pishumthong Keithel.

Volunteers and members of numerous civil society organisations of Singjamei area too converged at Chingamakha LAC Hall to protest continued imposition of the repressive Act.

Centre for Organisation Research and Education also pledged its unstinted support to the cause of Sharmila.

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