Imphal, October 01: Strongly protesting the atrocities committed against the villagers of Umathel by 21 Assam Rifles following the ambush on their patrol party last night, the Apunba Lup, which is spearheading the demand for the revocation of AFSPA from Manipur has started a protest movement with immediate effect.

Speaking to newsmen at RIMS hospital, where the injured villagers have been admitted, one of the co-ordinators of the Lup, Ph Deban said that protest movement against the excesses of the security personnel will start from tonight itself.

A torch rally would be taken out, he said and added that a public meeting will be held at Umathel tomorrow.

Over 40 villagers sustained injuries in the crackdown launched by the security personnel, he claimed.

Asserting that the civil population have been at the receiving end of the security personnel for long, Deban said that on the contrary no underground outfits have ever vented their anger on the common people after any encounter or shoot out.

Apunba Lup has nothing to say in any encounter between the armed outfits and security personnel, but added that targeting civlians after suffering casualties is nothing but cowardice.

Questioning what action the Government will take up against the erring personnel, Deban said that the security force time and again turn their ire against the common citizens because of the immunity granted to them by AFSPA.

The co-ordinator of the Lup also demanded fitting compensation for the sufferings caused to the people.

Meanwhile Works Minister K Ranjit visited the injured villagers at RIMS and announced an immediate relief of Rs 15,000.The Imphal East United Clubs' Organisation has also strongly condemned the excesses of the AR personnel.

In a statement, the Organisation questioned, what steps the Government will take up to penalise the erring personnel.

The IEUCO will extend all possible co-operation to future course of agitation taken up, it assured.

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