IMPHAL, December 24: Leading civil society organizations of the state came together to validate their call for stringent action against the accused in the Chandel incident. Addressing a press conference today at the office of AMUCO, President of the group, KT Rehman said that the decision to suspend agitations for three days was taken in consideration of the Christmas festivities. The press meet was attended by Phulindro Konsam, Chairman Committee on Human Rights, Manipur (COHR); E Johnson, President International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), Ksh Somendro, President All Clubs’ Organisation Association and Meira Paibi Lup (ACOMLUP), L Sanajaoba, Secretary IPR HERICOUN, A. Langdon, Advisor CLK and S Romita ,Vice president AMOVA.
The gathering observed 2 minutes silence condoling the killing of journalist Dwijamani in a police firing incident by state police yesterday and appealed to the state government to terminate the police personnel accused in the firing incident.
KT Rehman, President of AMUCO said that during the phase of the bandh suspension, rallies and sit in protests will be taken up to demand the arrest of Livingstone. He also appealed to the people in the state to desist from using any communal words or take up any action with an intent to spread communal disharmony.
UCM president Y Nabachandra said the decision to call off the bandh for 72 hours was taken after discussing with Film Forum Manipur, Sumang Leela Council and various other civil society organizations taking the Christmas celebration into consideration.
He said, “We have been supporting all protests and agitations regarding the attack on Film artistes and are ready to launch further agitations later too.” He added that the government of India and the state government should take take immediate action and punish the culprit adding that the state government should press the concerned authority of the central government to withdraw the cease fire agreement.