Imphal, August 11 2009: A five member team of women representing Apunba Lup, the apex body of the conglomeration of civil society organisations in Manipur spearheading the agitation against the government in connection with the July 23 fake encounter, submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Manipur, Gurbachan Jagat, around 1 pm today.

The five representatives of the Apunba Lup, led by L Memma, were escorted from Keishampat junction, Imphal to the Raj Bhavan by the SDPO of Lamphel police station, Pushpa Gitanjali.

The memorandum submitted to the Governor of Manipur demanded befitting punishment to the police commandos who were involved in the Khwairamband bazar incident, appropriate action against the police officers who tried to conceal the real culprits, resignation of the Chief Minister on moral ground for his misleading and irresponsible statement to the public on the floor of the Manipur state assembly as well as to the media persons, and the unconditional release of those who were detained under police custody in connection with the ongoing agitation.

Interacting with the media persons after submitting the memorandum, L Memma informed that the Governor had assured them that the demands of the Apunba Lup would be considered and appropriate actions would be taken up in 20/30 days.

But if the demands of the Apunba Lup are not met within the time stated by the Governor, more intensive agitations would follow, including social boycott of all the 60 MLAs of Manipur, the representative of the Apunba Lup stated.

Around 100 volunteers of the Apunba Lup mostly women marched toward the Raj Bhavan this morning around 10.30 .

The rallyists, shouting slogans demanding resignation of Chief Minister, punishment to the police commando personnel involved in the fake encounter, started from Kwakeithel area and marched toward the Raj Bhavan along the Tiddim road defying curfew.

Police blocked the rally when it reached Keishampat Leimajam Leikai and allowed only five representatives to proceed with them and submit the memorandum to the Governor.

Police escorted the five members of the Apunba Lup, Keisam Kumu, Laishram Mema, Moirang-them Jibanlata, W Mangol and M Ibechoubi upto the Raj Bhavan where thet submitted the memorandum to the Governor at about 1.00 pm.

The memorandum drew the attention of the Governor to the demand of the people by awarding of exemplary punishment to the responsible police officers who are trying to cover up the killings and resignation of the chief minister on moral ground taking irresponsible for the false statement given in the floor of the state Assembly.

Speaking to the media persons, L Mema said it the meeting with the Governor, he has assured of trying to translate the demands put down by them in the memorandum into action but refused to give a time bound period to his assurance.

Governor patiently heard the demand put down by them and assured of taking up whatever action that can be taken up at his level but with failed to the give a time bound period even though they insisted to translate into work within the next 20 days.

Stating that they had placed the Governor that if he fails to translate into action within the next 20 days they will intensify the agitation, Mema said they also poured down the suffering of the people by the imposition of curfew and direct the government to review the imposition of curfew.

Instead of heeding to the people's desire and grievances in the wake of mass agitation against July 23 fake encounter, the Manipur government is unleashing a reign of terror and torture among the people by arresting civil societies leaders and detaining them under NSA, she said.

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