Imphal, August 07 2009: "If Chief Minister O Ibobi does not resign by August 13, more forceful movements including general strike would be launched", declared a joint statement of the Ching-Tam United Women's Association, All Manipur Youth Protection Committee, People's Welfare Forum, Thoubal and the JAC Against the Brutal Killing of Thokchom Rabina.

Speaking to media persons at Lamsang this evening, president of the People's Welfare Forum Thoubal, AK Memcha Leima lamented that Chief Minister O Ibobi has been clinging to his post shamelessly even after the Khwairamband Market incident of July 23 has been proved to be a clear case of fake encounter.

Suspension of seven commando personnel, allegedly involved in the killing of Thokchom Rabina and Chungkham Sanjit, would not pacify the people's fury, she said.

The suspended seven police commandos should be dismissed and imprisoned, she demanded.

"It is a foolish idea if the Government believes that arresting functionaries of the Apunba Lup will be able to suppress the people's movement," she said.

Memcha further demanded unconditional release of the Apunba Lup functionaries at the earliest.

Pointing out that the Apunba Lup is constituted by all the organisations of Manipur, she cautioned that continued detention of the functionaries would only result in more extensive and intensive movements all over the State.

In case, Okram Ibobi fails to give up his post by August 13, a State-wide general strike State-wide general strike will be imposed on August 15.She also hinted that Government offices and institutions may be attacked during the general strike.

She further appealed to all sections of the society to participate in the upcoming movements.

Alleging that the firing attack at the office of evening daily Paojel was a handiwork commandos unleashed by the Chief Minister and was aimed at discouraging dissemination of information to the public, Memcha said that the organisations strongly condemned the attack.

Meanwhile, taking strong exception to the act of pulling up Apunba Lup functionaries and secretary of the Kwakeithel Apunba Meira Paibi Lup (KAMPAL) L Nganbi Devi by security forces in a bid to sideline and subdue the ongoing mass movement against the Khwairamband Market firing incident of July 23, KAMPAL has asked the Government to release all activists arrested in the course of the movement at the earliest.

Failure to release the Apunba Lup functionaries and other social activists would be only inciting KAMPAL to intensify the ongoing agitation.

The JAC Against the Brutal Killing of Thokchom Rabina has also demanded immediate release of the Apunba Lup functionaries without any condition.

The JAC also asked the Government to lift curfew immediately.

Comment