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Manipur : The agitation goes on |
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People in this tiny state of Manipur are continuing with their mass movement against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. The agitation is spearheaded by Apunba Lup, a federation of the 32 organisations, mostly women, after rape and murder of a woman in the custody of security forces (Assam Rifles). While the agitators are bent upon to get the Act revoked completely from the State and have converted their agitation into a civil disobedience movement against what they call the “Indian Rule,” the Union Government as well as the Congress-led State government are dilly-dallying on this sensitive issue.
The agitators have even come out in the open showing their anger against New Delhi and have been burning copies of the Indian Constitution. They also burnt the effigies of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Union Home Minister Shiv Raj Patil and state Chief Minister Ibobi Singh.
The agitators had issued an ultimatum calling upon all the MLAs and MPs to resign from state Assembly and Parliament for failing to withdraw the Disturbed Areas Act from the whole of Manipur.
While the State Government led by Chief Minister Ibobi Singh has pulled out all stops to prevent a backlash, New Delhi continues to “wait and watch” the situation.
The state administration’s resolve not to be cowed down by threats became evident when it ordered the closure of government educational institutions in the four valley districts of East and West Imphal, Bishenpur and Thoubal for a day.
Meanwhile, the government has began its crackdown on the organisations spearheading the agitation. Several leaders of these groups, including women, have been taken into custody under the National Security Act.
A delegation of five legislators representing the Opposition parties of Manipur reached New Delhi to meet the President and the Prime Minister. Hemchandra Singh, who addressed the media at the residence of NDA leader George Fernandes, said the best way to end the crisis was to start a dialogue.
The Political Parties’ Forum in Manipur has added to Ibobi Singh’s worries by raising the pitch for a special Assembly session to adopt a resolution on the Disturbed Areas Act.
“Our stand is very clear. We have been demanding an Assembly session to adopt a resolution on the issue. It is the responsibility of the government, not the Opposition’s, to convene the House”, said former deputy chief minister L. Chandramani Singh.
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