IMPHAL, August 29: Sit in protests and hunger strikes continued in the State today demanding implementation of the Inner Line Permit System or a similar Act in the State.
The number of individuals who have launched hunger strikes during the ongoing movement including students and senior citizens has reached 147 today.
Imphal West District alone has seen 85 hunger strikers, while 38 hunger strikers have come out from Imphal East. Altogether 11 volunteers from Thoubal district have undergone hunger strikes demanding the ILP while four from Bishnupur and seven from Yairipok have also undergone hunger strikes.
Meanwhile, 10 new volunteers of the DESAM including two girl students have started their hunger strike in front of the student body`™s office today after the earlier seven volunteers were picked up by the concern authorities around 11:30am.
The new hunger strikers are identified as Imphal West District Council DESAM secretary KC James, 20, son of Taorem Ibomcha Khuman; BA 5th semester student of Manipur College, Jimbrown Achom, 19, so of A Muhindro; secretary Culture and Affairs DESAM head quarter, Leimapokpam Herojit, 20, son of L Ranjit; Imphal East district council DESAM publicity and propaganda secretary, Leishungbam Rajesh, 17, son of L Kanhai; BA 5th semester student of Modern College, Chanamthabam Nandita, 17, daughter of Ch Tomba; class XII Sc student of N Tomchou Higher Secondary, Meisnam Luwangsana, 17, son of M Nipamacha; class XII Sc student of N Tomchou Higher Secondary, Salam Surjakanta Singh, 17, son of (L) S Santa; class XII Sc student of Biramangol College Yaikhom Victoria Chanu, 17, daughter of Y Tomba; Imphal West Disrict Council DESAM president, Longjam Robin Singh, 20, son of L Ibocha and class XII Sc student of Wangoi Higher Secondary School, Thounaojam Somol Singh 17, son of Th Ibomcha.
At the Thangmeiband Waiting Shed opposite to the THAU ground, three new volunteers Nongmaithem Rani Devi, 60, wife of N Ghanashyam Singh; Phamdom Bimola Devi, 36, wife of Ph Kanta Singh and Okram Tombi Devi, 32, wife of O Dhanabir Singh came out to continue a relay hunger strike.
All three are from Thangmeiband Hijam Diwan Leikai.
Sagolsem Mangalsan, 20, son of S Radhe of Takyel Kolom Leikai launched his hunger strike at the Takyel Waiting Shed, after the concern authority arrested the earlier hunger striker this evening around 2:40.
Sinam (o) Khomdonbi Devi, 52, wife of (L) Sinam Rabi Singh and Asem (o) Gomti Devi 50, wife of A Romesh of Chingmeirong Maning Leikai continue to fast at Chingmeirong today.
A medical team also conducted a health check-up today.
Meanwhile, locals have decided to close down all shops until August 31 evening 5pm and form human chains on a daily basis till then.
On the other hand, menfolk from nine local clubs – ESC, Nongmeibung; Citizens`™ Club Soibam Leikai Wangkhei Khunou; UYLA Thawanthaba Leikai; EYC Soibam Leikai Khnaglabung Leirak; SAYC Soibam Leikai Ayangpalli Road; NCYC New Checkon; PYC Nongpok Ingkhol; WAL United Youths Club Wangkhei Angom Leikai and LCP Wangkhei Ningthempukhri staged a sit in protest today in front of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy.
The sit in protest was organize by Fasting Students Protect Committee of Nongmeibung Club of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy.
The protestor came out in their traditional dresses and later took out a rally in the Nongmeibung area.
Octogenarian Aribam (o) Shamurailatpam Sanahanbi Devi continue to fast at the Singjamei Wangma Kshetri Leikai Waiting Shed.