Imphal, Aug 18: Denouncing police brutality while arresting former JCILPS leader Khomdram Ratan from the protest site at Keishampat Leimajam leikai Community hall at around 11 pm yesterday, the JAC formed against the announcement of “wanted” to the former JCILPS convenor today called 48 hours general strike in the state starting from midnight today.
The former JCILPS leader, who was declared “wanted” by the state police department on June 2, 2016, despite challenging the declaration at Manipur High Court, personally came out yesterday morning at around 11 am and joined the relay hunger strike being underway at Keishampat leimajam Leikai Community Hall under the initiative of the JCILPS. During the protest, several political parties’ leaders including MLA Laishom Ibomcha, BJP MLA Khumukcham Joykishan, BJP Spokesperson RK Shivachandra amongst other visited him and showed solidarity to his protest.
It was at around 11 pm that a large number of Manipur Police team came at around 15 vehicles and arrested him forcibly disrespecting the resistance made by the Meira paibi and students volunteers who were at that time staging the relay hunger strike with the former JCILPS leader, said a representative of the JAC formed against the announcement of wanted tag to Ratan.
Video clips uploaded in social networking site showed large number police personnel present at Keishampat junction minutes after the arrest by constructing barricades at Keishampat Junction. Many students in school uniforms were seen trying to confront the police. No police excess towards the students was notice but reports said that police resorted lathi charge and fire mock bomb to bring the situation under control.
Speaking to media person, Ksh. Thoiba, media co-ordinator and spokesperson of the JAC, formed against the announcement of Kh Ratan as Wanted said that the police action was condemnable in the highest form. He said announcement of Ratan as wanted is nothing but an intentional attempt to suppress the people’s movement for implementation of the ILPS in the state. He also said that the matter at which Ratan was declared wanted has been challenged in the Manipur high court and the court has reserved the verdict. Besides he himself had come out in public and joined the protest which means that Ratan is not hiding.
Thoiba further appealed the people of the state to precede any form of protest to make the general strike a successful. He said government is responsible for any untoward incidents occurred during the general strike.
The spokespersons, did not mention about relaxation of any services during the general strike. Imphal Times, while supporting the cause request the general strike supporters to relax those in media persons as well as those on emergency services like medical services, doctors and patients during the 48 hours general strike.