CM takes refuge under CrPC 144
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 04 2009: Chief Minister O Ibobi sought refuge under CrPC 144 and barricaded himself from students who marched up to Manipur Bhawan today to lodge their protest against the killing of a civilian in a fake encounter at BT Road in Imphal on July 23 .

A large number of Manipuri students in Delhi under the aegis of Manipuri Students' Association , Delhi ( MSAD) marched up to Manipur Bhawan here to air their protest despite the prohibitory order enforced under CrPC 144 .

Holding placards and shouting slogans the students gathered in front of the Bhawan and demanded that Ibobi not only revoke his statement of July 23 on the floor of the Assembly but also resign on moral ground.

The students also condemned terrorism in any form in any part of Manipur and any further attempt to extend militarisation in the hills.

Students under MSAD protesting in front of Manipur Bhawan

MSAD also demanded that the commandos responsible for killing unarmed civilians must be dismissed from serving in the Police Department and they must be punished.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by MSAD said that a collective of about 50 individuals representing various student bodies and civil societies attended a demonstration against State Terrorism in Manipur, organised under the aegis of the Manipur Students' Association Delhi, at Manipur Bhawan, New Delhi.

Before the demonstration could begin at 10 am, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi had managed to impose prohibitory order under CrPC 144 and accordingly barricades were put up along with deployment of Delhi Police to deny any democratic assembly on the roads leading to the Bhawan, said the student body.

Despite official restrictions and prohibition by Delhi Police, a demonstration was successfully organised from 10.30 am to 1 pm.

The collective have thanked the Tehelka Weekly for unveiling the terrorist character of Ibobi and the Manipur Police commandos who have acted under the command of Ibobi in carrying out the gruesome killing of 23 July at Imphal City.

The collective while raising slogans such as "State Terrorism Down Down", "Ibobi Government Down Down", "Manipur Police Commando Down Down", "Long Live Democracy", "We Want Justice", "Long Live People's Struggle" etc, have also expressed solidarity to the ongoing struggle against the State Terrorism in Manipur.

The collective have approached upto the gate of the Bhavan to meet with the Chief Minister and sought for his explanation of the 23 July killing.

The CM who was neither ready to admit his criminality nor have shown any respect for a democratic dialogue on the issue of restoring peace and justice in Manipur, have turned down the request to meet with him and submit a memorandum to his hand.

The Delhi Police who was in colluding with Ibobi have prevented the collective from entering into the Bhavan that have been converted into a fortified elite zone for the last few years.

Finally, the collective submitted a resolution addressed to the Chief Minister through the Residents Commissioner, Manipur Bhavan (annexure), added the release.