IMPHAL, Nov 9: Decrying the failure of the Central government to disclose the whereabouts of the chairman of the UNLF, RK Meghen, who was reportedly arrested from Dhaka, 17 leading social organizations of the state have decided to boycott UPA chairperson and AICC president Sonia Gandhi and called for 15-hour general strike in the state on November 12 from 2 am to 5 pm.
The organizations which have called the strike are All Manipur United Clubs’ Organization (AMUCO), All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), United People’s Front (UPF), National Identity Protection Committee (NIPCO), All Manipur Social Reformation and Development Samaj, Universal Mothers’ Organization (UMO), All Manipur Tammi-Chingmi Apunba Nupi Lup, Ereibak Enat Chanura Loina Sillon, Thoubal District United Women’s Development Organization, United People’s Administrative Council, Manipur Peace and Integrity Council, All Manipur Ethno-Socio Cultural Organization, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Nupi Lup, Chanura Lamjingba Kangleipak, Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA), Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) and Momnu Erikhombi Lup.
A joint statement of the organizations said that concealing the whereabouts of RK Meghen by the authorities of both Bangladesh and India is a great blunder on the part of India which claims to be one of the greatest democratic countries in the world.
Alleging the Indian Government of gross violation of human rights in the name of counter-insurgency, the statement said the recent cases of involuntary disappearances of Anthony Shimray of NSCN-IM and Ranjit Debbarma of All Tripura Tiger Force after being arrested by the Indian authority are clear instances of human rights violation of the people who long for self-determination.
The Indian authorities have remained silent on the matter of Meghen’s arrest despite of appeals from various international human rights organizations, it said.
It further mentioned that the government has failed to resolve the myriad issues of the state arising out of the imposition of draconian laws. The decade long struggle of Irom Chanu Sharmila for the repeal of Armed Forces remains unnoticed on the part of the government.
The organizations reiterated that the whereabouts of RK Meghen should be disclosed by immediately and the Indian government should bring an amicable solution to the political conflict through dialogues.
The general strike called on November 12 would be relaxed for fire service, water, electricity and other religious purposes, it added.
