Imphal continue to reel under various form of agitation even as the Okram Ibobi Singh Congress government had withdrawn the controversial Manipur Regulations of Visitors, tenants and Migrant Workers (MRVT&MW) Bill, 2015 on Wednesday. The emergency sitting of the state Assembly Session was held in view of the arisen situation with the perception of cooling it down. However, as the people spearheaded by the JCILPS stand tight with their demand of introducing a new bill to safeguard the indigenous people of the state, there is no turning back to the agitation.
Joint Action Committee form against the Killing of Sapam Robinhood had called a 12 hours general strike today and the general strike is being supported by almost all the people of Imphal.
Normal live in Imphal came to a grinding halt due to the general strike. All roads wore deserted look with few vehicles of security forces and emergency service. Strike supporters burnt tyres in the middle of the road at various places like Langthabal Phura Makhong, Langthabal lep Mayai Awang leikai, Mantrikhong, Lilong, Kiyamgei, Pal Ahanbi, Khurai, Soibam leikai etc.
Sit –in-protest demanding immediate punishment of the security personal involved in the killing of Sapam Robinhood and also introducing of ILP bill were also staged at various places at Singjamei, Haobam Marak, Kongba Irong Basikhong, Naoremleikai etc.
Meanwhile, protestors also staged rally at various places in both Imphal East and Imphal West.
At Khundrakpam large number of people tried to storm at the resident of the Speaker of the Manipur legislative Assembly, Th Lokeshwar Singh at Sawombung. Reporters witness police firing tear gas shell and charging the protestor with batons in front of the speakers’ resident. A reporter, who was covering the event, was allegedly beaten up by a police personal. Later, after identification the policeman tender apology to the reporter.
Two protestors were hurt in police action, they were taken to the Sawombung district hospital for treatment.
At Kiyamgei Pal Ahanbi strike supporters vandalise a Maruti Van bearing registration Number ML04- B0782 for violating the general strike.
A protest rally was also staged at Keishampat Kangabam leikai area at around 3 pm today. The rally was however disperse by a team of police. At Sagolband area too several strike supporters came out at the street and blocked all vehicular movement. At Sagolband Bijoygovinda area strike supporters vandalise vehicles which had violated the general strike. At Khurai too womenfolk staged protest a Khurai Sajor Leikai. They threaten to call indefinite blockade at Ukhrul Imphal; road if the government failed to introduce a bill.
1 comment
It’s a positive sign that “the people” are holding bandhs and blockades for a SMART goal, specific measureable achievable realistic time bound goal rather than having continual bandhs and blockades for ever changing reasons. As a next step will the people organize a similar protest for the removal of the AFSPA from all of Manipur. Unlike this bill to introduce the AFSPA this is a far simpler matter for the State Legislature. All they have to do is not renotify disturbed area status for all of Manipur outside of Imphal. If “the people” agree to protest for that they could have AFSPA withdrawn from all of Manipur within five days and Irom Sharmila could be freed to life instead of being freed to starve to death which is the only other campaign in town.