IT News
Imphal, Mar 14:
12 Civil Society Organizations have called for a general strike from midnight today until Saturday midnight in protest against the arrest of three Pambei-led UNLF cadres, including the organization’s chief of army. Addressing the media, the president of Federation of Civil Society Organizations (FOCS) Manipur, Th. Manihar has stated that “since those who made the arrests have requested time until 12 PM today, we waited until 1 PM. But nothing came from their side.”
Given this, these 12 CSOs have called for a general strike from midnight today until Saturday midnight in protest against the arrest of three Pambei-led UNLF cadres. These CSOs include FOCS, MWF, IPOM, UMO, WMC, KKJCC, Yelhoumi Kanba Lup, Apunba Sinmitlon, Singjamei Apunba Nupi Lup, All Lilong Chajing Meira Paibi, and other organizations.
The organizations have raised the issue that there is a peace agreement, a ceasefire, and ongoing dialogue. They said that the authorities are not supposed to arrest people belong to Pambei led UNLF. But with the arrest of the chief of army, they have violated the ceasefire agreement. This is a humiliation to the party and the people of Manipur. Their team is visiting Delhi to meet the responsible authorities regarding this matter.
FOCS President Th. Manihar also said in the press conference, “We are ready to launch intense agitation against the arrests. The Manipur government’s denial that they have no knowledge regarding the arrests is unacceptable. We are urging the government of Manipur to put pressure on the central government to release the arrested individuals. We might end up boycotting elections and even the matriculation examination.” Th. Manihar, further, questions, “Who will come out to have peace dialogue if those who are in dialogue are arrested?””
NIA confirms arrests
NIA has confirmed the arrest of 3 cadres of Pambei led UNLF. In an official statement by the NIA addressed to the Superintendent of Police, Imphal West, the three were arrested in connection with NIA Case number RC-23/2023/NIA/DLI-reg. The communication informs that the three cadres, Thokchom Shyamjai @ Thokchom Gynaeshor @Thoiba@ Zaw Tun @ Sidaba Mapu, S/O Late Th. Ibotombi of Mayang Imphal, Imphal West, Laimayum Anand Sharma @Ingba, S/O Late Indneshwar Sharma from Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai, Imphal West, and Ibomcha @ Landaba @Ibomcha Meitei, S/O Lokesar Meitei, of Salam Keikhu, Langjing, Imphal West have been arrested.
Regarding essential services, there will be exceptions for them. Regarding the impact of the general strike on matriculation examination, the organizers have asked “which one is important – the right to life or the right to education.” They said “examinations can be held later. Its responsibility will be on the government.”
