IMPHAL, Oct 6: Irked by the apathetic attitude of the state Government of Manipur, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) seeking whereabouts of Irungbam Irabanta, who has remained untraced since last May, has on Saturday announced a 48-hour along Imphal-Ukhrul road to be begun midnight of October 9.
Another indefinite economic blockade along Imphal-Ukhrul road will be imposed from October 11, the day the proposed general strike ends if the Government fails to take note of the voice of the JAC again this time, Amakcham Radhamani, convenor of the JAC formed against the disappearance of Irabanta told journalists at the Manipur Press Club here.
The JAC convenor recounted several memoranda regarding the missing of Irabanta have been put forward to the Chief Minister, Home Minister and the Governor pleading them to secure his release from the captivity of NSCN-IM on many ocassions.
The uptight over the missing of Irabanta has witnessed in the state for the last five months. The JAC in collaboration with different NGOs including meira paibis in the state had also staged various agitations to put pressure on the Government to facilitate his release from the custody of the rebel NSCN-IM.
The JAC also appealed to the state Government to secure his release while condemning it for allegedly keeping tight-lipped over the issue. It also sought support and cooperation from local clubs, meira paibis in particular and the public in general to enforce the strike.
Many members from various civil societies, including All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO), Poirei Leimarol Apunba Meira Paibi Lup and other civil bodies had protested against the abduction of Irabanta. Irungbam Irabanta, 38, son of late I Kerani Meitei of Nongdam Maning Leikai under Lamlai Police Station, Imphal East has gone missing since May 27 after he left home along with one Winner Tangkhul, hailing from Ukhrul’s Harpham village to have negotiation with NSCN-IM functionaries over the supply work of Maphou Dam.
It had been confirmed that Irabanta was at the region office of the rebel NSCN-IM on the morning of May 28 based on an SMS received by his family. On May 30, brother and brother-in-law of Irabanta, namely I Devata and S Guna went to Ukhrul pursuing his way but Winner’s wife had told them that her husband was staying at New Salem and not at home. Then they were desperate and returned home.
After five days, some family members, including Irabanta’s wife, Modhubala had visited Ukhrul but bore no fruit, a memorandum submitted earlier to Chief Minister O Ibobi by the JAC had mentioned. The family also pleaded with some Tangkhul civil organizations to help trace Irabanta. They had also approached to the Region Office of NSCN-IM and brought up the matter before the outfit’s Central Administrative Officer (CAO) named Francis but this time also the effort was came out to be fruitless.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/protest-against-kidnapping-of-irabanta/
