Informing Newmai News Network (NNN) from New Delhi today, Vani of an organisation called SAHELI said that lawyers, students, academicians and other activists protested at the Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi and submitted a lengthy memorandum to the chief minister of Manipur through the Resident Commissioner in this regard. They also dispatched the memorandum to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister P.Chiddambaram.
The organisations that participated in the demonstration included National Alliance of Peoples’ Movements (NAPM), National Forum of Forest People and Forest Workers (NFFPFW), All India Students Association (AISA), SAHELI, All India Progressive Women’s Association, Peoples’ Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR), Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), Campaign for Peace and Democracy (Manipur), People’s Union for civil Liberties (PUCL) and Delhi Solidarity Group (DSG).
The memorandum of this demonstrators urged to drop all the charges against the arrested Manipuri activists and release them immediately or else they would intensify the agitation. It also demanded that the police personnel responsible for the ‘extra judicial execution’ of Chungkham Shanjit and Rabina Devi on July 23 be punished without any further delay. Vani said that Shambu Singh, the Resident Commissioner of Manipur in New Delhi met with the protestors and accepted the memorandum to be sent to Manipur chief minister. Vani said that the Resident Commissioner did not make any comment but assured the demonstrators that he would send the memorandum to the chief minister. The memorandu m was signed by more than thirty organisations and several other eminent individuals from all over India, Vani claimed.
The demonstrators also demanded the immediate repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 and to end the atmosphere of impunity that prevails in Manipur. “There is ample evidence that legislations like National Security Act (NSA) and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) are used against peaceful protestors who fight for their legitimate rights in order to curb any voices of dissent. The recent arrest of environmental activist Jiten Yumnam under the NSA shows the absurdity of the state’s response. This misuse will only lead to more unrest,” warned Roma, leader of National Forum of Forest People and Forest Workers, who herself was a victim of the misuse of NSA few months back. Imphal | September 24 : Various prominent civil organisations based in New Delhi have advocated for the unconditional release of social activists arrested by the Manipur police in the wake of the ‘mass movement’ against the July 23 fake encounters in Imphal.
Informing Newmai News Network (NNN) from New Delhi today, Vani of an organisation called SAHELI said that lawyers, students, academicians and other activists protested at the Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi and submitted a lengthy memorandum to the chief minister of Manipur through the Resident Commissioner in this regard. They also dispatched the memorandum to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister P.Chiddambaram.
The organisations that participated in the demonstration included National Alliance of Peoples’ Movements (NAPM), National Forum of Forest People and Forest Workers (NFFPFW), All India Students Association (AISA), SAHELI, All India Progressive Women’s Association, Peoples’ Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR), Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), Campaign for Peace and Democracy (Manipur), People’s Union for civil Liberties (PUCL) and Delhi Solidarity Group (DSG).
The memorandum of this demonstrators urged to drop all the charges against the arrested Manipuri activists and release them immediately or else they would intensify the agitation. It also demanded that the police personnel responsible for the ‘extra judicial execution’ of Chungkham Shanjit and Rabina Devi on July 23 be punished without any further delay. Vani said that Shambu Singh, the Resident Commissioner of Manipur in New Delhi met with the protestors and accepted the memorandum to be sent to Manipur chief minister. Vani said that the Resident Commissioner did not make any comment but assured the demonstrators that he would send the memorandum to the chief minister. The memorandu m was signed by more than thirty organisations and several other eminent individuals from all over India, Vani claimed.
The demonstrators also demanded the immediate repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 and to end the atmosphere of impunity that prevails in Manipur. “There is ample evidence that legislations like National Security Act (NSA) and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) are used against peaceful protestors who fight for their legitimate rights in order to curb any voices of dissent. The recent arrest of environmental activist Jiten Yumnam under the NSA shows the absurdity of the state’s response. This misuse will only lead to more unrest,” warned Roma, leader of National Forum of Forest People and Forest Workers, who herself was a victim of the misuse of NSA few months back.
