Mail News Service NNN
Imphal, Aug 25: The JAC of Irabanta has called a state wide general strike from Aug. 29 midnight to 6pm of Aug 30 to demand safe release of Irabanta who was kidnapped by suspected members of NSCN(IM).
Intesifying its demand, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed against abduction of Irungbam
A joint press conference of different civil societies and the JAC was held at the Manipur Press Club where the JAC announced the decision to impose the general strike.
The JAC convenor I Echan said the 18-hour general strike has been called to protest against the state Government for its inability to facilitate searching and finding of Irabanta whose whereabouts is still unknown even after about three months of missing.
Irungbam Irabanta, a sand supplier for Maphou Dam construction, was allegedly kidnapped by the rebel NSCN-IM on May 27 last. He is a resident of Nongdam Maning Leikai in Imphal East district.
All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO) pressed the Government to search for Irabanta and said this should be carried out immediately.
NSCN-IM “officer” Leishi ( Ukhrul town commander) and Francis, “central administration officer” (CAO) and other accused involved in the abduction of Irabanta should be arrested, AMUCO secreatry Sanjoy Meitei said.
The AMUCO secreatry also charged both the state and Central Governments for giving a free hand to the NSCN-IM and asked the state Government the reason for not divulging the facts and circumstances surrounding the abduction of Irabanta despite the fact that whereabouts of him is known by it.
It has been found out as a fact that Irabanta and one Winner were in the custody of NSCN-IM from May 27 till June 6, Sanjoy said. Winner who is involved in the abduction is now in jail after he was arrested by Ukhrul district police on August 11.
The detailed report in connection with the arrest of Winner is with the state Government, Sanjoy further said.
The NSCN-IM is often indulging in kidnappings and it has indicated that the Government has permitted the rebel group to open its designated camps in Manipur and this has become clear, the AMUCO secretary accused.
AMUCO also voiced deep concern of mistrust in the state police force and also the Central force in the state and asked what the state DGP, the state home minister, the chief minister and the chief secretary are doing.
“Do they need to go to New Delhi and ask permission to take up the case,” Sanjoy ridiculed and dubbed them as pathetic leaders. He said AMUCO will support the general strike.
Representatives of the civil societies which included United People’s Front (UPF), AMUCO, International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), National Identity Protection Committee (NIPCO) and Ethno Heritage Council (HERICON) at the press conference jointly announced they would extend support to the proposed bandh.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/jac-irabanta-calls-general-strike-from-aug-29-midnight/
