All Naga “frontal” organisations in Manipur have called a 24-hour general strike from the midnight of Sunday. This was stated in a press release issued on Saturday.
the strike was called to demand the withdrawal of the non-bailable warrant and order of proclaimed offender issued against Samson Remei and David Choro, acting presidents of the United Naga Council and the All Naga Students Association, Manipur. Besides, the Naga organisations had sought the withdrawal of the police and other State forces from the “Naga areas” immediately. The prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code should also be withdrawn from the “Naga areas,” it stated.
Acting on a Public Interest Litigation petition, the High Court had ordered the Manipur government to arrest and produce the acting presidents. The police lodged a complaint with the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal, stating that these two persons cannot be located at the addresses given by them. Accordingly, the Chief Judicial Magistrate declared them proclaimed offenders and issued non bailable warrant. It ordered that they be arrested and produced by July 15.
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Government sources said that there was no question of withdrawing the State forces completely from the strategic points at Mao gate, Liyai Khunou and Jessami since Thuingaleng Muivah, general secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), has been trying to enter Manipur.