Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 10 2009:
Re-calling the alleged surrender dramas enacted under the directive of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, who is also in charge of Home Department, in the last few years by roping in some pseudo insurgents, though it ultimately met with failure, the United Committee Manipur (UCM) has cautioned the public that the Chief Minister may turn the table with the help of false and bought over living witnesses.
It is a possibility that Ibobi, using some bought over witnesses, may claim that the July 23 firing incident was not a fake encounter, said UCM.
Asserting that suspension of some subordinate commandos, who were only following orders of their superiors, would not be able to quell the people's movement, the UCM demanded that the police officers concerned, if they are conscientious, should come out boldly and confess before the public that they issued the order.
In case the suspended commandos contend that they did not kill people but it was the bullets, would the Government suspend the bullets, ? asked UCM.
Saying that the Chief Minister has many people who he has bought over, the UCM cautioned that one of those individuals may come out and claim like "Sanjit and I were going for some work of a proscribed outfit".
Sanjit was hit by bullets but I managed to escape".
Such people may claim "It was not a fake encounter.
The woman was killed in the gun-fight between us and commandos and Sanjit was also killed in the shoot-out," cautioned UCM.
Calling upon the people not to be swayed by the false propaganda of the Government, the UCM said that Tehelka has clearly exposed who the enemies of the people are.
Insisting that all top police officers starting from the immoral commandos should be terminated from service, it maintained that the Chief Minister should be pulled down if he refuses to resign.
The UCM, on the other hand, hailed the resignation Dr Nara from the secretaryship of the SPF Steering Committee on August 3 as a very significant step.
Observing that the violent incidents and criminal activities taking place under the SPF Government might have prompted Dr Nara to leave the Steering Committee on moral ground, the UCM opined that it would be most appropriate for the CM to resign just like the senior politician.
Turning to the ruling MLAs/Ministers, the UCM asserted that they too should face people's wrath for their irresponsibility and continued support to Ibobi despite the public outcry for Ibobi's resignation who misled the House.
It pointed out that changing a House leader lies with the MLAs.
Observing that the people's movement is also aimed at opening the eyes of the MLAs, the UCM asked the MLAs whether they would still lie in slumber despite knowing the prevailing situation.
Asking mothers of commando personnel whether they would not be able to rein in and discipline their sons, the UCM cautioned that waiting for people wrath would cost dearly.
Again turning to ruling parties, the UCM advised that it would be wise on their part to join hands towards changing the present leader before their parties are uprooted from the soil of Manipur.
Drawing attention of the Governor who never bothered to spare a single moment with the bereaved families of the deceased and injured victims, the UCM strongly condemned the imprisonment of Ima Sakhi, Ima Memma and Ima Nganbi Leima after they were arrested from the gate of Raj Bhavan where they were coming to lodge a complaint.
Reiterating that arrest of some functionaries of the Apunba Lup would not be able to suppress the people's movement, the UCM asserted that the ongoing movement is not of one individual or one/two organisation but of all the JACs, their families and the distressed people.
The movement was built up on the collective aspiration of the people and the same should be solved in accordance to the collective decision of the people, the UCM asserted.
It further asked the Chief Minister to step down before the people's burning rage consumes him.