Protest held at Shumang Leela Shanglen to protest assault on Momoko
IMPHAL, Dec 28 UNA: In its continuing protest demanding booking of NSCN(IM)’s self styled Lt Col Rt Livingstone, members of the Film Forum Manipur (FFM), Manipur State Shumang Leela Council and Apunba Manipuri Matamgi Eshei Kanglup Friday staged a joint sit-in-protest at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Sanglen.
Leaders and representatives of various civil organizations also took part in the protest which was commenced from around 10 am and went on till 4 pm.
The protest in various forms would continue until government books the alleged culprit behind the molestation of a Manipuri film actress Kh Momoco Devi and firing at two artistes during a musical concert at Chandel on December 18 last, chairman of FFM Surjakanta said, speaking to reporters at the protest site.
Asserting that the protest was not directed to a particular community or a section of the society, Surjakanta clarified that their demand was related only with the award of befitting punishment to the NSCN(IM) functionary allegedly involved in the crime.
Regarding the rampant violent activities that were witnessed during the general strike called by the FFM with the supports of artiste bodies and civil organizations, he alleged that the protestors became violent owing to the excessive meted out by the police towards the protestors.
The general strike was suspended responding to appeals made by various civil organizations and considering the Christmas festival, he said that they will continue their protest with a series of agitations of different forms until their demands were fulfilled by the government.
In the meantime, the International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) has flayed the state government, in a statement dispatched today, alleging that government has once again cheated the people of the state by declaring self styled lt col Rt Livingstone Anal of NSCN(IM).
Manipur government has declared Livingstone Anal, the alleged accused of December 18 chandel incident as “wanted” with a cash reward of rs. five lakh.
It was a cheat to the people to cover government’s weakness, the IPSA said, recalling that earlier also they declared wanted to UNC leaders following a directive of the Gauhati High Court. After declaring wanted state police has initiated action to arrest them.
In a similar manner, the state government declared wanted to the NSCN(IM) functionary only to fool the people.
The statement further raised a question when MLAs and ministers of the state could not come out with a definite decision of their owns even as people rose up in one voice demanding befitting punishment to Livingstone who molested a Manipuri film actress in full public view and attempting life of two artistes.
The statement further condemned the December 23 incident at Napet Palli in which a tribal girl was allegedly molested by three youths, one of whom a militant. The accused who were in police custody should be awarded befitting punishment, the IPSA demanded.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/artistes-organise-sit-in-protest-momoko-incident/
