IMPHAL, Dec 21 MNS NNN: : Film Forum Manipur supported by various organizations of the state have decided to call indefinite bandh in the entire state from tonight to protest molestation and assault of a film star by a cadre of NSCN(IM).
The decision to call the indefinite Manipur bandh was announced by FFM after a public meeting held at Keishampat Lairembi Community Hall here on Friday. The strike will continue until Livingstone, the NSCN-IM cadre and main culprit in the Momoko case is booked, the forum said.
The public meeting started from 4 pm and went on till 5:30 pm was also attended by large number of people including members of Manipur State Shumang Leela Council and different civil organizations.
Protesting the action of NSCN(I/M) cadre, Livingstone on a film actress at a concert held at Mahamani High School ground on December 18 night, a sit-in organized by Film Forum Manipur and Shumang Leela Council was held at Keisampat Lairembi community Hall today. And the artists who stormed the CM bunglaw protested over the incident by sleeping in front of CM bunglaw.
However a police team led by DIG Kailun controlled the protesters.
Representative of civil organization took part in the public sit in at Keishampat.
Sunil Karam of NIPCO taking part in the protest said, we can’t tolerate the character of a NSCN(I/M) cadre in public. If he is ahuman, he should show his moral.
NSCN (I/M) should know, the Manipuris will not remain silent. The proudness of NSCN(I/M) is caused by GOI and Manpur govt’s weakeness. IM is vising far slung area of Manipur to play divide and rule policy among the indigenous people and also trying to disintegrate the state.
The statement of Shri Gaikhangam made in the state assembly yesterday is not satisfactory.
The former MP and president of BJP, Manipur unit said, he strongly condemned the attitude of the cadre who came from designated camp and openly dishonoured an artist.
He expressed his unhappiness over the action of state govt. which can’t arrest the criminal who is known already. He should be arrested and punished immediately. The ongoing agitation will be intensified. The limit of the sentiments of Manipuris has increased.
The state will be peaceful if he was arrested and punished, Th. Chaoba further said.Earlier in the afternoon, angered members of FFM attempted to storm the Chief Minister’s bungalow demanding immediate arrest of Livingstone when the police intervened and resorted to lathi charge to control them. Kh Momoko, the victim of the Chandel incident and singer Prakash were hurt in the police action and they were hospitalized.
The police were prompted to cane the demonstrators as they blocked the road in front of the chief minister’s bungalow, a section of National Highway-2.
They blocked the road about 20 minutes when the police tried to stop them, leading to a scuffle between the agitators and the police when Momoko and Praksh were injured.
Announcing the indefinite Manipur bandh, Ipu, secretary, FFM said the stir will never cease until and unless the state Government book and punish Livingstone.He, however, said essential service and other religious related activities will not be covered within the purview of the bandh.
Meanwhile, local residents of Ghari, Imphal Airport road, the locality of Momoko also registered a protest against the incident by staging a dharna at the locality, apart from another mass sit-in organized at Keishampat Junction to protest the incident.
The NSCN-IM cadre reportedly went rampant when he molested Manipuri digital film actress Momoko before assaulting her in full public view during a concert at Chandel Bazaar High School ground, Chandel district on December 18. The NSCN-IM cadre also allegedly tried to kill another two artistes by firing two rounds at point blank range but they escaped unhurt.
FFM) had demanded the state Government to take prompt action against the perpetrators at the earliest. The state Government should own up responsibility for any eventuality if it tries to keep mum on the matter, L Surjakanta, president, FFM had warned while addressing a press meet held at the office of FFM, Lamphelpat here on December 19.
“All the perpetrators involved in the incident should be booked and punished under the law,” L Surjakanta had said.
The victim, actress Momoko who was also present at the press meet narrated the whole episode. She said a concert was organized by Mahamani Women’s Society, Chandel to raise fund for the Mahamani Youth Club at Chandel High School ground yesterday, December 18 when the ghastly incident took place.
She participated at the concert as the programme announcer, Momoko said. At around 7:30 pm, all of a sudden, one Livingstone, an armed member of NSCN-IM who was in inebriated condition entered inside the room behind the stage where the artistes were sitting. Suddenly, Livingstone grabbed her shoulders and inquired whether she was the actress Momoko. Then, she answered ‘yes’ but he repeatedly asked the same question and started caressing her hair. Livingstone came along with three other cadres who were also heavily armed, Momoko alleged.
Feeling embarrassed at the rude behaviour of the NSCN-IM cadre, Momoko swiftly left her chair and sat beside her mother who was sitting inside the same room. Then, her mother complained to the organizing committee about the matter. Moments after that, Livingstone came again close to to her and pulled her down from the chair and started beating her up like anything by kicking aimlessly, the actress further alleged.
Prakash Khuraijam, who was performing on the stage , along with actor Guna came to the rescue of Momoko but Livingstone tried to kill them by firing two shots at point blank range. They luckily escaped the attack unhurt.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/indefinite-strike-launched-to-protest-assault-of-actor-by-nscn-man/
