Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 09:
Even though the Govt has convened a meeting with MEELAL members on May 11 to find a meaningful solution to the ongoing Mayek stir, MEELAL president Chingsubam Akaba who is currently detained under the National Security Act (NSA) is unlikely to join the scheduled talks.
Talking to The Sangai Express, MEELAL Finance secretary M Shivdutta Luwang said that the Govt does not want Akaba and the other leaders who have been detained under NSA to join the proposed meeting from the legal point of view.
"If at all the Govt is adamant in leaving out Akaba from the meeting we will prepare a final draft of proposals from our side and take consent from our leader Akaba before putting the same in the meeting" Luwang said adding that MEELAL activists have already begun preparing the draft copy.
Besides Akaba, MEELAL office bearers including its vice president Ng Yumjao, Sadokpam Tomba, general secy K Basantakumar along with DESAM gen secy P Newton and leaders from Muslim and tribal communities will join the meeting, he also said.
"This is the third time the Govt has offered talks in connection with the Mayek issue with the first two having ended in a deadlock" Luwang said while hoping that the Govt will endorse their legitimate demands in the upcoming meeting this time.
�If the meeting fails to bring about any settlement we would be constrained to resume our stir till our demands are met,� he added.
Mention may be made here that MEELAL had decided to suspend its agitation with effect from Saturday till May 11 as a response to the Govt's desire to work out a solution to end the ongoing Mayek stir.
Over 400 mayek activists belong to MEELAL and DESAM are currently lodged at Sajiwa jail.
Over 15 of them including Akaba and DESAM president L Romesh have been detained under NSA by the Dist authorities.
Shivadutta also informed that members of the Hands for Peaceful Society (HAPES) in collaboration with the office of chief Medical Officer (CMO) Imphal conducted a two day free medical camp at the prison on April 29.