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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Students rally in Imphal seeking repeal of Afspa
Imphal: Hundreds of people, mostly students on Saturday, took out a silent rally in Imphal, demanding repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (Afspa), 1958, entirely from Manipur. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The rally was held as part of the observance of the 21st Students' Martyrdom Day organised by the Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) in connection with the death anniversary of Pebam Chittaranjan, who has been extolled as the 'human torch' in the movement against Afspa. On Aug 15, 2004, when the whole country was celebrating Independence Day, Chittaranjan, an advisor of MSF, self-immolated, demanding the repeal of the 'black law' Afspa. He died to the burn injuries the next day. The observance began with people paying floral tribute at Chittaranjan's memorial tomb at Takhellambam Leikai, Sega Road in Imphal West. A silent rally then proceeded towards Keishampat Junction before culminating at Imphal College, where a public meeting was held. President of All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation Ph Nando Luwang said, "It has been 21 years since Pebam Chittaranjan self-immolated, demanding repeal of Afspa. Despite having sent out a strong message with his supreme sacrifice, the Centre continues to turn a blind eye to the sufferings of the people here."
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Amid unrest, truck driver abducted in Manipur
Amid the ongoing civil disobedience campaign across Imphal valley, the driver of a truck transporting essential goods was abducted by unidentified armed men in the State's Tamenglong district on May 28. District officials said on Thursday (May 29, 2025) that the incident happened near New Kaiphundai along National Highway 37. The truck was carrying goods from Jiribam on the border with Assam to the State's capital, Imphal. 'Personnel of the Manipur police and central security forces have been scouting the surrounding areas to locate the missing driver,' an official said. While the security forces have stepped up area domination in vulnerable areas in the hills and the valley, the abduction of the driver triggered protests in the Tamenglong district. Organisations belonging primarily to the Rongmei Naga community demanded the driver's release. The authorities have not disclosed the identity of the driver, deeming it sensitive. In the valley, members of at least eight organisations staged a protest rally against 'India's policy to obliterate Manipur'. They included the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation, All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association, and Manipuri Students' Federation. The 'obliteration' was an allusion to the May 20 incident at Gwaltabi, about 25 km from Imphal, where security forces personnel allegedly made the passengers of a State-run bus cover the word 'Manipur' on its windscreen with a white paper. Meanwhile, addressing journalists along with Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, Manipur's Chief Secretary, Prashant Kumar Singh said the State government will ensure that the Gwaltabi incident is not repeated in future. Asserting the administration's commitment to the integrity of Manipur, he said people from all communities from the Imphal Valley and beyond the State travelled with families to Ukhrul to attend the Shirui Lily Festival, which recorded a footfall of 1.70 lakh. 'The Gwaltabi incident was unfortunate. There had been no instructions whatsoever or even a remote thought of covering the name of the State, as has been alleged. This has been amply clarified by the State government as well as by the responsible political leadership,' the Chief Secretary said. He said the ground reality would be revealed after a thorough inquiry into the May 20 incident. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla constituted the committee, which was asked to submit its report in a time bound manner. Protestors across the Imphal Valley have been demanding an apology from the Governor for the bus incident and the removal of the Chief Secretary, the Security Advisor, and Director General of Police Rajiv Singh.
