Imphal, November 19 2009: Reiterating that the ongoing agitation in the aftermath of the July 23 BT Road firing is a movement for right to life, the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup has urged the people for continuous support.

A Lup statement issued today condemned the O ibobi-led SPF Government for shielding the guilty commando personnel involved in the July 23 firing that claimed two casualties and wounded five others.

Despite clear evidences that the police commandos had staged fake encounter neither are the guilty cops punished nor are higher ranking police officials pulled up holding them responsible for consenting the massacre, the statement said while decrying attitude of the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh to hang onto power rather than owe moral responsibility and step down.

Inaction of the SPF Government against the guilty commando personnel is an undeniable indication that wanton killing of even innocent civilians are being endorsed and the police officers encouraged to act at their fancy, the Lup alleged and belittled ordering of the inquiry as eyewash with the assertion that Government witnesses are being lured with money.

Terming as anti-people utterances from certain student bodies and organisations of parents/guardians, the Lup posed would members of these organisations still be on the Government's side when their immediate family members or relatives become victims of police high-handedness.

Instead of being opportunists it would be highly appreciable if these organisations understand and weigh endless miseries the people had been enduring, said the Lup while cautioning that until arrogance of the security force personnel are remedied citizens' safety cannot be guaranteed.

Reacting to Minister N Loken's outbursts against the agitators, the Lup opined that such comments were made only to remain in the good books of the Chief Minister besides reflecting naivety of the Minister with regard to sentiment and suffering of the masses.

Turning its tirade against the Central Government for allegedly remaining silent inspite of people of Manipur enduring various inconveniences and untold miseries, the Lup asserted that continuous support to the Chief Minister might be detrimental to the existence of the Congress party in Manipur.

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