While local clubs and Meira Paibi organisations carried on their sit-in, group of women CSOs continued their campaign to reach out to political leaders by submitting representation for appeal to a higher court and re-investigation into the 2018 multi-crore drug haul case.
TFM Desk
CSOs and Meira Paibi organisations remained unrelenting and pressed the government to appeal to a higher court against the judgement by an ND&PS court acquitting former Chandel ADC chairman Lhukhosei Zou on Thursday.
Pangei Yangdong Youth Development Association and the women vendors of Pangei Keithel jointly staged a sit-in at Pangei, Imphal East District.
Speaking at the sit-in, Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) president Hijam Priyokumar said that it is unfortunate that the government has not given any positive response to the democratic agitations demanding appeal to a higher court against the judgement and re-investigation into the case.
Priyokumar also urged those who are trying to portray the agitation in a bad light to stop such efforts and instead join the protest and unitedly fight to punish the drug smugglers.
A sit-in was also staged at Sanjenbam Kiethel, Nongchup Sanjenbam, Imphal West. It was jointly organised by Sanjenbam Apunba Meira Paibi Lup and Social Youth’s Organisation, Sanjenbam.
CADA secretary organisation Mayengbam Budhi, who participated in the sit-in, said that the protests being held at different parts of the state are not illegal. It is a “true democratic” agitation. He also mentioned that the Public Prosecutor (PP) has also laid down the grounds for the government to appeal to a higher court.
Different slogans were also shouted at the end of the sit-ins, it added.
On the other hand, leaders of women CSOs continued their campaign of submitting representation demanding appeal to a higher court and re-investigation into the case, to political leaders of the state. On Thursday, a group of women leaders submitted the representation to Public Works minister Thongam Biswajit, MLA L Jayentakumar and MLA Nahakpam Indrajit.
All Manipur Women Social Reformation & Development Samaj (Nupi Samaj) president Thokchom Ramani said that they are submitting the representation to the MLAs, ministers and MPs since they are the leaders of the state and are responsible for doing the needful.
All Manipur Tammi Chingmi Apunba Lup (Tammi Chingmi) president S Momon said that the women of the state have been fighting against the menace of drugs for a long time. She also urged to eradicate drugs completely from society.
Representatives of Nupi Samaj, Thoubal Ima, Tammi Chingmi, AMKIL, Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Semgat Sagatpa Lup, Nongpok Leingak, THANIL, ECHAK and Apunba Nupi Lup, Bishnupur were also part of the group that submitted the representation.