‘Anti-tribal’ bills JAC to begin stir
Newmai News Network
Imphal | May 26
Venting anger over detention of two pro-ILP student leaders, six school students today kicked-off an indefinite hunger strike here.
Meanwhile, the JCILPS Women Wing volunteers locked the office of JD (U) located at Babupara and also the state CPI office, Rupmahal Tank.
The students from Tamphasana Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Imphal began their strike at the Keishampat Leimajam Leikai community hall. “We will not withdraw until our fellow students are released,” one of the students stated.
Police arrested the two student leaders while they were leading a protest aimed at targeting the state BJP office on May 24. The protest was staged as part of ILP campaign.
General Secretary of CC Higher Secondary School, Imphal, Bruce Pebam and former general secretary of Ibotonsana Girls’ High School, Imphal, Loitongbam Bidyalaxmi Devi are now under detention allegedly on the charge of stoking up protest.
Offices of all political parties in Imphal are being targeted by protesters after the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) recently announced to gherao them. The committee has intensified its campaign for introduction of ILP.
Hundreds of students under the banner of JCILPS Student Wing staged demonstration at Uripok and Palace Compound to pressurize the state government and all political parties into snap decision to implement the three bills currently pending with the President.
They also demanded immediate release of the two student leaders and action against the police personnel involved in assaulting student protesters during the ILP stir.
On the other hand, the JAC against the anti-tribal bills decided to resume their stir which is likely to set back the ILP campaign being launched by JCILPS in the valley.
A statement informed that the JAC is all set to resume its stir from early part of June next. In this regard, the committee convened a joint meeting of various tribal organisations at KKL Complex, Churachandpur district.
Before the stir starts, the meet decided that a massive public awareness campaign will be held on June 3. The committee also fixed their next meeting on May 30. Representatives of different Kuki civil societies attended the meet.
Tribal organisations campaigning against the “anti-tribal bills” in Manipur are likely to intensify their movement in the next few days.
United Naga Council (UNC) said they were all prepared to take up any democratic measures and to begin the movement against the anti-tribal bills.
