IMPHAL, April 8: The indefinite Manipur bandh called by the JAC formed against the killing of N Satyabhama has been suspended temporally from today midnight. This was announced by the Convener of the Joint Action Committee after a joint meeting was held at the Bo Lampak Community Hall which was attended by several civil society leaders and representatives of Meira Paibi groups of the state. Representatives of over 30 groups including UCM, AMUCO, Kabui Mothers’ Association, NIPCO, UPF, Kangla mei, All Manipur Parents and Guardians Association, joint students co-ordinating committee and the general public attended the meeting.
Speakers at the joint public meeting condemned the inhuman and brutal killing of the deceased with the leaders of various Meira Paibi groups pointing out that it was a crime committed against women and children. Many expressed their dissatisfaction toward the State police investigation team in the case for the lack of progress in terms of finding out those responsible. They also expressed that it was necessary to put pressure on the state government and the police department to find out and arrest the person (s) involved in the crime at the earliest.
After the meeting, the JAC members, leaders of the civil society organization and Meira paibi leaders along with public who were present in the public meeting unanimously passed a resolution to suspend the indefinite bandh called by the JAC from midnight today taking into consideration the hardships faced by the people of the state till 15 April. However, the resolution pointed out that if the state government and the police department failed to produce the accused person within five days, then the JAC along with other civil society groups and Meira Paibis would hold another meeting in the same area on April 16 and decide the further course of action.
Following the announcement, the JAC members and other leaders of the civil society organization and meira paibis took out a silent march rally to submit a memorandum to the State Chief Minister but when the rally protestors reached Singjamei traffic point, they were stopped by a large number of police personal deployed in the area led by the Dy SP Sarangthem Ibomcha. Additional police forces led by Imphal West SP L Jayenta superintendent of Police also joined the earlier police team. The police team stopped the rally from marching further toward the Chief Minister`s bungalow.
Later 12 people, including eight Meira Paibi leaders and four JAC members were allowed to meet the Chief Minister by the police and taken to the Chief Minister`s bungalow.
After the meeting with the CM, one of the Meira paibi leader briefed the media that the state Director General of police was also present at the meeting.
When the team of JAC and Meira Paibi leaders asked about the progress regarding the case being taken up by the state police, the CM answered that the state police was doing its duty to arrest the person involved in the crime and conducting operations in suspected areas. She further said that the CM gave the assurance that the culprit would be arrested within three days time.
