Alert rallies, sit-ins go on in full gear

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 9 : People of Keishamthong AC thronged the residence of local MLA and Health and Family Welfare Minister L Jayan-takumar today demanding the MLA to take a firm stand regarding the unrest which has been besieging the State as a result of the Naga peace talks.
Earlier in the day, Yaipha Lamjing Lup organised an alert sit-in protest at Pishum Ningom Leikai community hall in solidarity to COCOMI's civil protest movement.
The protesters then took out a rally till Keishamthong and came back to Pishumthong where they swarmed the residence of L Jayantakumar.
Speaking to media persons near the MLA's house, Yaipha Lamjing Lup executive member Yumnam Bipin said that the people of Manipur will always stand their ground and will face any threat to the integrity of the State resulting from the Naga peace talk and its solution.
The locals and Meira Paibis of the area have been demanding the MLA to make his position clear on the issue of Naga peace talk and its possible solution, he said.
The MLA, while supporting the public movement, responded that the State leaders have been urging the Central leaders to ensure that the State's integrity and interests are not affected by any solution to the Naga peace talk.
The MLA met the protesters and discussed the matter later in the day.
On the other hand, womenfolk of Ningomthong Sairom Leirak held an alert sit-in-protest under the aegis of COCOMI today before marching to the residence of Works Minister Th Biswajit at Ningomthong at around 3 pm. However, they could not meet Biswajit as he is currently out of station.
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Body Khurai in collaboration with Star Club and Moirangkampu Sajeb Woman Welfare Association, under the aegis of COCOMI, staged an alert sit-in protest at Khurai today. Speaking on the sideline of the protest, Coordinating Body Khurai members Roshan, Bonchu and Sunil spoke on the Naga political issue and the threat posed by it to the integrity of the State. They also cautioned that  if any of the terms and conditions of the peace talks threaten the integrity of the State, then the people of Manipur might even demand independence from India. In such a situation, the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) must be held responsible for any unwanted incident, they warned.
Langthabal Mantrikhong Awang Leikai Meira Paibi and Young Future Organisation (YFO) also staged a similar alert sit-in at Langthabal Mantrikhong Awang Leikai community hall today. The protesters shouted slogans like 'Long  live Manipur', 'Ima Leibakna Yaifare', 'We condemn communal politics of India', 'No to destruction of integrity' etc.
Sit-in protests were also staged at Kwakeithel Mayaikoibi Mamang Leikai community hall, Kwakeithel Laishram Leikai community hall, Pishumthong Ningom Leirak Machin community hall, Keishampat Leimajam Leikai community hall, Wahengbam Leikai Yumjao Lairembi community hall etc.
The Meira Paibis at Kwakeithel Mayaikoibi Mamang Leikai community hall shouted slogans condemning all forms of communal politics by the Centre and any negative impact to the integrity of the State. They also demanded an emergency State Assembly session and urged the 60 MLAs to make a concrete stand regarding the Indo-Naga peace talks. Shopkeepers and vendors at Paona International Market also staged a sit-in protest today.
On the other hand, students of Suranjoy English Academy (Kodompokpi), Brighter Star Public School (Loitang Khunou), Accent Girls' Academy (Sagolband) and Alpha BCI Memorial Academy (Thangmeiband Hijam Dewan Leikai) also staged protest in connection with the Naga political solution.
Similarly, locals of Sabungkhok, Telou Chana, Nongada Nongren, Nongdam,  Kakching Lamlai, Yourabung etc also thronged the residence of Lamlai Kendra MLA Ksh Biren shouting various slogans and demanding the 60 MLAs to adopt a firm resolution at the Assembly.
Sit-in protests were also staged at Takyel Kolom Leikai and Waithou. Over 1250 students of ADL English School formed human chain and shouted slogans at Wabagai Lamkhai Bazar. A protest was also staged by students of Shining Academy & Sacred Shine English School Langathel as well.
Similar alert meira rallies were also taken out from Heinoubok to Tera Bazar and Sagolband Moirang Leirak to Wahengbam Leikai Traffic Junction by the locals of the respective areas.