Attempt to suppress the “voice of the people” by arresting activist of CADA will only lead to statewide intense agitations, CADA, Kakching District Committee president Sorokhaibam Nena
TFM Desk
Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA), Kakching District Committee president Sorokhaibam Nena asserted that the arrest of one CADA activist (Shintha Laishram) on “unsubstantiated charges” is a blot on democracy. An attempt to suppress the “voice of the people” by arresting an activist of CADA will only lead to statewide intense agitations, she warned.
As part of the ongoing protests, Hiyanglam Warakhong Meira Paibi Lup and CADA Kakching District Committee jointly organised a sit-in at Hiyanglam Warakhong Mayai Leikai, Kakching district. The protest was against the inaction and silence of the government over the judgments acquitting the main accused Lhukhosei Zou and others in the 2018 multi crore drug haul case, and the acquittal of the accused of the Phoudel drug case, according to a CADA release.
Speaking at the sit-in, Nena said that the government has remained silent although the people have been protesting for over three months demanding it to appeal to a higher court against the judgments. Instead of listening to the voice of the people, the government is arresting the CADA’s activist who has been protesting democratically.
Shintha of Heirok Part III Champrathong was arrested on April 7 by Thoubal Police Commando. He has been charged under Section 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). On the day of his arrest, Sintha uploaded photographs of a protest by Ningol Club, Heirok and CADA Thoubal District Committee which had placards that read “Chief minister should resign”.
The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Thoubal on Thursday remanded Shintha to five days under police custody. He has been accused of being an overground worker of an unlawful organisation.