Imphal, August 07 2009: Terming the O Ibobi government as the darkest reign of all time, former Member of Parliament (MP) from Manipur hills and also the convenor of All Manipur Tribal Women Union (AMTWU) Kim Gangte accused the Government of Manipur of using curfew as a whip to subjugate various movements of people in the wake of July 23 shoot out at Khwairamban bazaar.

Addressing a press conference at Manipur Press Club on Friday, Kim Gangte who is also the convenor of All Manipur Tribal Women Union (AMTWU) stated that the act of chief minister of imposing curfew is very unfortunate.

She further condemned the chief minister for not taking up action against the police commando personnel involved in the July 23 incident.

Denouncing the chief minister's decision of imposing curfew, Kim Gangte stated that the imposition of curfew is not a right decision of a real political leader.

She also condemned on behalf of AMTWU regarding the chief minister's statement made in the recently concluded Manipur Assembly session that said, "There is no alternative than to kill the insurgents".

Meanwhile, criticizing the shoot out at the office of an evening newspaper, Poajel, Kim Gangte maintained that the government has failed to protect the media and the people of Manipur.

The convenor of the Manipur tribal body also maintained that the local photographer who clicked the series of photographs of the July 23 incident that was later exposed by Tehelka, Delhi based weekly magazine was sent by God for the people of Manipur to fight for truth.

Such acts of the police commandos in small part of the country would be exposed to the whole world, added the former MP.

Asking the chief minister to resign immediately, she stated that the people of Manipur had given power to the wrong leader and the power lies in people.

She further questioned the chief minister that what he would feel if his relatives were shot in the July 23 incident.

The chief minister must resign immediately in the interest of the people, asserted Kim Gangte.

Claiming that about 300 men were killed in encounters in the state this year, the tribal women body convenor stated that the chief minister should be ashamed of the increasing widows in the state.

Reacting against the deployment of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) and police commandos in the hill districts of Manipur, Kim Gangte questioned the state government in this regard.

She asked that what developments have been brought in the Imphal valley till now by deploying IRB and police commandos.

She further maintained that no developments would be brought in the hill districts by deploying IRB and police commandos.

Moreover, the people in the hill districts are living in peace, added the former MP.

Kim Gangte further asserted that instead of maintaining law and order, the deployment of police commandos and IRB personnel seem to break the law and order in the hill districts as it has been in the valley.

Deployment of these police commandos and IRB personnel would only create confusion and destruction in the villages of the hill districts of Manipur, stated Kim Gangte.

Kim Gangte stated that refining the discipline and behaviour of police commandos and IRB is more important than deploying them in the hill areas.

The tribal women convener on behalf of AMTWU condemned the arrest of the functionaries of Apunba Lup.

She also appealed to all the people of Manipur valley as well the hill districts to stand united and fight against issues of Manipur.

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