IMPHAL, April 3: Several civil bodies including student bodies, meira paibi organizations and local clubs held separate sit in protests at separate places in the state capital today decrying the death of two bus handymen when the bus they were sleeping went up in flames, which some had alleged to be ignited by miscreants on the intervening night of March 26-27.
Kangleipak Students Association KSA, Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur DESAM, Kuki Student’s Organization, CCpur KSO, National Identity Protection Committee NIPCO and Ethno Heritage Council HERICOUN, All Manipur Anti-Drug Association AMADA, Manipuri Students’ Federation and United People’s Front UPF and All Manipur United Clubs’ Organization AMUCO and Truck Drivers’ Corporation and the All Manipur Drivers and Workers Union, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Lup and FREINDS jointly held a sit in protest at Keisampat Lairembi community hall.
AMADA president M Padmani Leima while appealing to the government to take appropriate action against all involved in the incident, has also added that failure on the part of the government to fulfil the demand will only invite more agitations from the people of the state.
Further speaking to media persons on the sideline of the sit in protest, she added that the protestors will not calm down until the culprits are booked under the law of the land and due compensation is paid to the victims’ families.
She further condemned the silence maintained by the newly formed government on the issue and added that the people of the state would be grateful to the government if it could produce the culprits at the earliest. Advisor of the All Manipur Bus Owners Federation stated bus service will be stopped completely in the state if the government of Manipur continue to remain silent regarding the demand for compensation to the two handymen and the bus owner and the arrest of the culprits responsible for the burning of the bus causing the death of the two young handymen, added Newmai News Network.
Meanwhile, the Imphal Rising Youth Club, Sega Road Welfare Club and Keishampat Leimajam Leikai meira paibis also held a separate sit in protest at Keishampat Leimajam Leikai demanding adequate ex-gratia to the families of the two handymen.
The protestors held placards reading “Adequate ex-gratia for the victims”, “We condemn the burning of the bus”.