Imphal, Aug 08: Demanding the unconditional release of UCM Kumbi unit's general secretary Ph Inaobi from police custody various UCM units of the district along with 15 youth and women organisations have announced imposition of general strike from August 8 midnight in the entire district for an indefinite period.

Inaobi is informed to have been released on bail this evening.

A release issued by Apunba Nupi Lup Lumlangdong contended that despite necessary instructions to the Bishnupur police SP by the Chief Minister-in-charge Th Debendra yesterday to release Inaobi the official is yet to reciprocate positively till today subsequently forcing the Bishnupur district organisations to resort to the agitation.

Th Debendra is said to have had a telephonic conversation with the Bishnupur SP Jayentakumar on the matter after a team of UCM leaders called on the senior Cabinet Minister and informed him (Debendra) that Inaobi had been falsely implicated by the district police.

Referring to the conduct of the SP, the Lup also conveyed the bodies' observation on whether a police official is empowered to oppose instruction of an elected representative.

Besides demanding unconditional release of Phuritsabam Inaobi, the bodies are resorting to the agitation to demand punitive action against the SP, SDPO and those commando personnel involved in Inaobi's arrest and transfer of the guilty from the district.

During the general strike period all forms of vehicular movement with the exception of those associated with emergency and ceremonial services would be prohibited, said the Lup and cautioned shop keepers, offices, educational institutions to observe the strike.

Meanwhile, in a hurriedly convened press conference at Kekrupat office of UCM this evening, Ph Inaobi contended that due to intolerable thrashing subjected during detention in custody he accepted police assertion of being a UG activist.

Inaobi, who is also a prominent member of United Development council (Wapokpi) and Ithai Kumbi Laikhong farmers' Cooperative Society, asserted that he and one Surmani were on their way to complete financial matters of the farmers' body when the Bishnupur commando arrested them.

Rejecting police charges that he is a UG member, Inaobi further said during the arrest no document to link him with any UG group was found.

Nevertheless the commando personnel fired a shot in the air near the Bishnupur DC office gate and taken to the nearby police camp where he was beaten.

During the interrogation Inaobi's constant plea that he is a UCM office bearer failed to convince the commandos who even went to extent of claiming that UCM is closely linked to an underground organisation.

The commandos also told Inaobi to identify/accept himself as a UG member or sustain more harsher punishment, he maintained.

After Inaobi, accompanied by a police commando in civil dress reached the Bishnupur Adhyaksha office and completed official process for funds allocation meant for the Farmers' body, they withdrew the an amount of Rs 37,500 from the cashier and returned back to the commando camp where he was again subjected to torture.

Unable to tolerate intense beating he was left with no other option other than associate himself as a KCP activist, mentioned Inaobi who was released on bail today.

Inaobi also apologised to the KCP for using the outfit's name.

His friend Surmani was set free on August 4.Joining the media briefing, Apunba Nupi Lup president L Nganbi informed that despite Inaobi's release the general strike call of various Bishnupur district organisation would be observed as the bodies's demand pertains to unconditional release and punitive action against the guilty.

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