Imphal, January 09: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed in connection with the alleged rape and subsequent murder of Ichal has announced its decision of calling a 24-hour State-wide general strike with effect from 5 am of January 11 to 5 pm of the following day if the Government fails to produce the perpetrators of the heinous crime by tomorrow.

Announcing this during a press conference at Manipur Press Club here today, assistant secretary of JAC Against the Killing of Sh Ichal alias Thambaltombi Devi, A Nandakumar asserted that the State Government has already been informed about the decision of JAC and other social organisations which have been demanding arrest of the culprits.

Wakat Meephams and protest rallies have also been launched in this connection, he added.

11-year old Ichal was found slit to death at Nongmaiching where she had gone to collect firewood on December 17 last.

Lamenting that the Government has not been able to arrest the culprits till today, Nandakumar demanded if some of the persons namely P Amuchou (18) s/o P Punochandra of Andro Kharam Leikai, Ph Inao (21) s/o Ph Toman of Andro Awang Leikai, Ch Ingocha (20) s/o Ch Gourachandra of Andro Nungyangbi and Kanta Rakesh and Methun all from Uripok but staying as labourers in Andro Suman Leikai who have been arrested as suspects by the Yairipok Police are the real culprits, then they should be produced before the public.

It is unreasonable to keep them in police custody without any evidence, the JAC contended, adding that all these alleged suspects are innocent persons and should be released immediately.

To condemn the brutal murder of Ichal a large number of children had staged a protest rally in Imphal.

The children denounced the rising crimes on minors.

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