Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 10 2009:
Prolonged imposition of indefinite curfew has caused interference in the functioning and independence of the judiciary, advocate Khaidem Mani has stated.
Talking to mediapersons today, Khaidem Mani who is also a human rights activist and the secretary of Senior Citizens for Society, pointed out that even if it has not caused any difficulty to the executive and the legislature, imposition of indefinite curfew has interfered in the functioning and independence of judiciary even to the extent of giving no scope for lodging complaint against the legality of imposing such indefinite curfew in a relevant law court.
He asserted that imposition of indefinite curfew has virtually kept the people under house arrest and it is in contravene to the civil liberty of the people who no started bearing the brunt of shortage of essential food items in the State.
So the Government should lift imposition of indefinite curfew at once, he demanded, adding that even if curfew is necessary, then it should be imposed after consideration of specific time and place.
He also appealed to the Apunba Lup and the public to restrain from indulging in any undemocratic acts of violence during the course of the ongoing agitation.
He, however, hastened to add that this does not meant any disregard to the public movement or attempt to mislead the people.
It may be noted here that the imposition of indefinite curfew (though curfew had been lifted for some hours) with effect from 10 pm of August 4 with lifting of curfew for some hours has come about even before the 48-hour general strike that had been called by the Apunba Lup over the July 23 fake encounter incident at BT Road was over.