Imphal, March 16: Amidst tight security, a mass public rally organized jointly by Committee on Human Rights (COHR), Human Rights Alert (HRA), Chanura Lamchinglel Kangleipak (CLK) and Threatened Indigenous People's Society (TIPS) was carried out here today as a mark of protest against the recent spurt of killing of innocent civilians by security personnel.

With people from different parts of the State participating in the rally, the rallyists began their march from THAU ground at around 11 am and proceeded towards Khoyathong and then passed through North AOC, Minuthong, Hafiz Hatta, New Checkon Crossing, Old Checkon, Porompat crossing, Ayangpalli Road, Lamlong Bazar Dingku Road, Khongnang Ani Karak, Lilashing-khongnangkhong to finally converge at THAU ground once again for a public meeting.

Participants who took part in today's rally strongly condemned the excesses of the security personnel and shouted slogans like "Stop killing innocent people in fake encounters" "Go back Indian Army", "Stop committing atrocities on innocent civilians" etc during the rally.

Placards with the words "Lift Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State", "We don't need Indian army in our State", "Remove Indian Army" etc were also displayed by the rallyists during the course of the rally.

The rally was conducted in a very peaceful manner and passed off without any unwanted incident.

It may be noted here that security arrangement for today's rally was conducted under the watchful eyes of DIG Range-I P Doungel and the two SPs of Imphal West and East.

IRB, AR and CRPF personnel were also deployed at all the strategic points of the city for security purpose.

Meanwhile, the public meeting held at THAU ground after the rally was attended by Kanglamei's president Y Leirik, MEEKHOL's president AK Janaki and Poirei Leimarol Apunba Meir Paibi's president L Memchoubi as the presidium members.

The leaders present at the meeting appealed to the people to unite and fight together against the atrocities of the security personnel, to unitedly stand against arrest of innocent civilians by security forces and also to help in strengthening the meira paibis' fight against security personnel excesses.

More over the rallyists also agreed to translate the appeals into concrete actions.

Speaking at the meeting, TIPS adviser Ningthoujam Lanchal asserted that the recent spurt in the killings of innocent civilians by security forces have provided the people an opportunity to unite under one umbrella irrespective of caste and creed and added that this feeling of oneness among the people should be used for fighting against the atrocities of the security forces.

It is high time for the people to leave aside their differences and face together the chronic problems confronting the State, added Lanchal.

Stating that the question of AFSPA seems to come to the people's mind only when there is a spurt in the killing of innocent civilians by security forces, Lanchal stated that it is the foremost duty of all the citizens to work for the removal of AFSPA as well as the other draconian laws which have granted immunity to the security personnel for eliminating innocent civilians.

He also appealed to the people to support the cause of Irom Chanu Sharmila who has been fasting for the last many years demanding for lifting of AFSPA from the State.

Asserting that the Indian Govt by imposing various ill advised policies on the State is trying to completely wipe out the indigenous people from the State, Lanchal stated that the woes of the people would be further compounded in the coming years if the present generation is not cautious or extra careful about the policies followed by the Indian Govt.

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