Imphal: Twelve civil society organisations along with a student’s body have imposed a 48-hour general strike across Manipur with effect from Thursday midnight demanding unconditional release of three cadres of Pambei led UNLF including its chief of Army, who have been detained by NIA.
Security forces along with a team of NIA apprehended chiefs of Pambei led UNLF and a cadre on Wednesday morning at around 8.30 from Ningthemkol area, Imphal West. Later, they were airlifted at Delhi on the same day.
The twelve CSOs included Federation of Civil Society Organisation (FOCS), Manipur Women’s Federation, Indigenous People’s Organisation Manipur (IPOM), Universal Mother’s Organisation, World Meetei Council, KKJCC, Yelhoumi Kanba Lup, Apunba Senmitlon, Singjamei Apunba Nupi Lup, All Lilong Chajing Meira Paibi, Manipur Muslim Welfare Organisation, Meetei Council Moreh and a student’s body.
A joint press conference of 13 CSOs including one student’s organization was organised at the office of Manipur Women’s Federation (MWF) on Thursday at Kakwa Naorem Leikai, Imphal West.
President of FOCS, Th. Manihar said with the failure to meet the demand for unconditional release of three cadres of Pambei led UNLF by Wednesday, the 12 CSOs along with a student’s body imposed the 48 hours general strike across Manipur.
Central government, state government and Pambei led UNLF signed a tripartite cease fire peace agreement. Detaining cadres of the underground outfit will be taken as insulting the outfit and people of Manipur. A team will be going for Delhi on Friday to meet the Union government in connection with the issue, he added.
He said if the three cadres are not released unconditionally, then intensified agitation including boycott of Lok Sabha election or examination might be boycotted. The union government as well as state government should fulfil the demand on unconditional release of the three cadres.
The state government should not lie to public as the government has no knowledge on detention of the three cadres. The state government should press central government for immediate unconditional release of them within 48 hours in order to bring peace in Manipur.
Despite the boycotting of Lok Sabha election and examinations the CSOs might boycott all the political parties of Manipur which might bring a doom society, he cautioned.
Responding to media regarding relaxation of students who are appearing HSLC examination to be commenced on Friday, Manihar said a question arise which is more important ‘right to live’ or right to education’ and with the interest of public the decision of general strike was taken.
Examination can be conducted later but saving a life is more important, said Manihar.
General secretary of IPOM, Rakesh Moirangthem appealed the people to support the demand for unconditional release of the three cadres of the outfit.
He said the general strike will be called off immediately if the three cadres are released unconditionally.
He appealed the bandh supporters to identify cautiously the essential services.
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