IMPHAL, June 30: A democratic and peaceful demonstrations and dharna at the premises and complex of political parties and democratic organisations including Imphal pologround, Hapta Kangjeibung, Thao ground, Keishampat, Wahengbam Leikao should be allowed. It is the democratic right to express demands in the public interest with prior permission from the concerned authorities and a fundamental right guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. Demonstrations and dharna should be allowed.
This was stated by Dr. M. Nara, secretary Manipur State Council (MSC) Communist Party of India during a press meet held at Irabot Bhavan located at BT Road, Imphal today at about 1:30.
He further said that the CPI made efforts to highlight eight demands to be discussed in public interest during the Assembly Session on June 20 as part of its June struggle.
An effort was made to take out a rally towards the Assembly at around 1 p.m. after around 2000 party workers had gathered, but Irabot Bhavan was cordoned off and the rally was thwarted, he said.
Before the rally of the workers began, police fired tear gas and hurled mob bombs wherein one Maibam Sanahanbi Singh, 40, of Tentha was seriously injured and he had to undergo operation at RIMS, he said before adding that he is still at the hospital.
It is the excessive action of the police. Even in Delhi, the capital city of the country, Democratic agitations mounted by the people are allowed at Jantar Mantar, Ramlila Ground and boat club even during the Parliamentary session, security measures are taken up in its vicinity only even without using loud speakers.
But in Manipur CRPC 144 is permanently imposed in Imphal East and Imphal West, he said while claiming that it is an attempt to tarnish the good image of Indian democracy.
The prohibitionary order may be imposed along the roads leading to the Assembly hall and in its vicinity and attempts may be made to curb democratic agitations by means of barricades and water cannons, police personnel who are well-trained and sensitive may be made to deal with public agitations, but it is not right to halt a rally immediately, he lamented.
A CPI team led Dr. M. Nara himself met with Chief Minister, today during which he had elaborated on the incident of the rally and discussed the demands made by CPI, he said.
The CPI team included N Mangi Singh, chairman of struggle committee, L Thoiren of assistant secretary/MSC, Kh Surchand Singh, convenor.
The demands of the party are repeal AFSPA and save the life of Sharmila, reintroduction of ILP system to save the identities of indigenous people of Manipur, rooting out and eradicating the menace of smuggling of narcotic drugs, initiating political dialogue with all insurgent groups without any conditions, deployment of national highway protection force and adoption of an effective law tp prevent highway bandh and blockades, stopping privatisation of health and power sectors, providing 35 kg of rice at Rs. 2 per family every month and constituting special fast track court immediately to try crime against women.