IMPHAL, August 24: A day after three volunteers of DESAM Thoubal Branch, who launched fast unto death agitation at Thoubal Wangmataba Devi Mandap in solidarity to the demand for introduction of Inner Line Permit System or similar law in the State were pulled up by police, another two volunteers of the students`™ body have also started launching hunger strike at the same venue from today morning around 9.
The three hunger strikers who were arrested by Thoubal Police yesterday around 11.15 pm are identified as Maibam Memicha Chanu (girls common room secretary of Waikhom Mani Girls College) daughter of M Ranjit of Thoubal Wangkhem; Moirangthem Arundash (Class XII science student of Fancier Abhiram Higher Secondary School) son of M Sarat of Thoubal Kshetri Leikai and Lourembam Manimatum Singh (Class XII science student of Chouyaima Higher Secondary School) son of L Ibomcha of Thoubal Wangmataba Sorok Makha.
While the two new hunger strikers are identified as Moirangthem Roshni Devi, 16 (Class XII science student of Chouyaima Higher Secondary School) daughter of M Ingo of Wangjing Lamding Mamang Leikai and Laishram Jiranjit Singh, 20 (Bsc 5th semester of Thoubal College/secretary organizer of DESAM Thoubal District) son of L Loken of Charangpat Mamang Leikai.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the protest demonstration, Laishram Jiranjit expressed on the act of a team Thoubal Police who allegedly used derogatory remarks and threatened to shoot while arresting the three volunteers of DESAM Thoubal Branch.
Altogether six volunteers of DESAM Thoubal Branch have been pulled up by police for launching fast unto death stir starting from August 19 endorsing ILPS implementation in the State to safeguard the indigenous people.
Meanwhile, a statement of the DESAM has said that altogether 31 volunteers and office bearers of the organisation have launched hunger strikes in front of the DESAM head office and at Thoubal Wangmataba demanding the ILP in the State.
It said of the 31 volunteers and office bearers, 15 have been put in the jail while eight others have been put in observation home.
At present, eight hunger strikers including six in front of the DESAM head office and two at Thoubal are undergoing hunger strikes, it said.
The statement also said that local meira paibis have been guarding the hunger strikers showing support to their movement.