Imphal, March 03: Strongly condemning the torture and molestation of M Naobi Chanu by Thoubal police commandos, a large number of voluntary organisations have come together and called an 18 hour general strike from midnight of today till 6 pm of March 4.The organisations have also demanded open punishment of all the police commandos involved in dehumanising and violating the womanhood of Naobi.

Naobi Chanu who was picked up by Thoubal police commandos from the house of Bikash after his last rites on February 21 was released yesterday by the Judicial Magistrate of Thoubal on the ground that the police have not been able to substantiate the charges levelled against her.

As the horrendous ordeal that Naobi underwent at the hands of the police commandos hit the front pages of all the newspapers in Imphal today, representatives of about 100 voluntary organisations met at Hotel Excellency to discuss the issue and chalk out future course of action.

The meeting which started from 11.30 am and stretched on till 2.30 was attended by the president of All Manipur Women Social Reformation and Development Samaj K Taruni, president of Kuki Women's Association, Rose Mangshi, president of All Manipur Tammi-Chingmi Apunba Lup S Momon and advisor of Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba M Ibemchoubi as presidium members.

After minutely discussing the issue, the meeting unanimously agreed on certain points to be implemented immediately.

Briefing newsmen on behalf of all the other organisations, general secretary of AMUCO, NC Khuman spelt out the decisions and demands taken during the meeting.

The demands included the resignation of the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers for their utter failure to protect the dignity of women, the guilty police commandos should be produced before the public and punished accordingly, removal of the CJM (who is also a woman) of Thoubal for failing to record the statement of Naobi and to impose an 18 hour general strike from midnight today till 6 pm tomorrow.

There is no reason to give the Government any time over the matter and the different organisations decided to immediately start their agitation to protest the conduct of the police commandos, said Khuman.

The different organisations will continue to extend unstinted support to the Thoubal JAC formed to demand the release of Naobi and others picked up by police commandos.

The Joint Development Committee, Khangabok Part III, Public Library and Literary Society, Khangabok and Meetei Enat Kanba Lup Khangabok, have also decided to extend all support to the course of action taken up by the different organisations.

The three apex bodies of Khangabok have also demanded the dismissal of the guilty police commandos and if this is not done then the CM and his Ministry shold resign on moral ground.

After the meeting the representatives of the different organisations then readied to take out a rally to the Assembly, where the House was in session.

During the rally the protestors carried placards with slogans, "Police commandos can kill for the sake of money," "Irresponsible Government should immediately resign," "Eliminate the gang of police commandos, who are being set up by the Government," "Govt should resign as it has failed to protect the rights of the people," etc.

The rallyists also raised slogans demanding punishment of the police commandos and proceeded up to Keishampat.

At Keishampat junction, security personnel blocked the rallyists from moving ahead.

At about 3 pm, a additional forces including police and police commandos arrived at Keishampat junction and were put on alert.

A water canon also arrived at the scene to control the situation.

Even as a heated debate ensued between the police personnel and the protestors, the police fired tear gas shells and managed to disperse the demonstrators.

As it was about 3 pm the road was choc-a-bloc with office goers returning home.

The large number of marriage parties on the road led to a heavy traffic jam at Keishampat area.

On hearing the firing of the tear gas shells, a number of commuters abandoned their vehicles and fled for safer climes. A civilian was hit by a tear gas shell and injured.

The man is identified as M Khogendro of Kwakeithel Thokchom Leikai.

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