ILP forum called for 24 hrs strike against arrest of activists in Manipur

Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit system in Manipur called a 24 hour general strike in the state from midnight on Tuesday.

Talking to reporters, Ibotombi Khuman, convener of the ILP system, said that this is in protest against the refusal to suspend and then take up steps for the termination of Victoria Yengkhom, Additional superintendent of police, for raiding the office and arresting 10 of the ILP activists on Monday evening. However, government sources said that there is no question of suspending the lady police officer or releasing the ten activists. Law will take its own course for beating up the elder brother of the officer by the activists.

The ILP activists had tried to accost one migrant worker to check his identification documents. He fled and took shelter in the shop of Debson Yengkhom, a businessman who is the elder brother of the officer. He allegedly ridiculed the ILP campaign. He was asked to come to the ILP campaign office for discussion.

However, during the meeting on Monday evening the activists had beaten him up and photographs appeared in newspapers showing numerous bruises on his body. Ms Yengkhom and other police also arrested 10 activists.

In protest against the police raid and arrest of the ILP activists, the forum did not hold talks with the government scheduled on Tuesday. Mr. Khuman said that first Ms Yengkhom should be suspended. But police say that the activists took law into their hands.

Women vendors in the Imphal town shut down their business and came out in the streets demanding suspension of the police officer.