MANPAC reiterates cease work strike call

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 8 : With the Centre set to table the Citizenship Amendment Bill on the floor of the Lok Sabha on Monday and get it passed, the Manipur People Against Citizenship Amendment Bill (MANPAC) has reiterated the call to the people to cease work by suspending all daily activities  from 1 am of December 9 till 3 am of December 11.
All educational institutions, exams, interviews, functions/events, entertainment programmes will be covered by the cease work protest but medical emergencies, media, power, water supply, fire service etc will be exempted, said MANPAC in a statement.
MANPAC also cautioned the State Government against trying to use police and paramilitary forces to suppress the democratic movement/agitation taken out by the people, CSOs, Meira Paibis etc against CAB, warning that  this might escalate the tense situation even further.
A statement issued by the convenor of MANPAC today reasoned that now is the right time for the State Government to stand united with the people and take a stand against the Centre's attempt to pass the CAB in the North East region and the State.
It continued that it is the duty of the State Government to relay the sentiments and demands of the people to the Central Government.
However, instead of taking this responsibility, the State Government is taking up measures like bringing in additional security forces so as to suppress the democratic agitation taken out by the people and the CSOs. This very action is akin to playing with fire, it alleged, adding that if the State Government does not halt such antics immediately, the end result might not be good.
On the other hand, pointing out that movements and revolutions launched by the people have always been successful throughout history, MANPAC appealed to one and all to support the cease work/ suspension of daily activities  from 1 am of December 9 till 3 am of December 11.
On the hand, strongly condemning the attempt by the Central Government to pass the CAB, the Indigenous People's Association of Kangleipak (IPAK) Manipur and Kangleipak Students' Association (KSA) have also announced that they support call of MANPAC to suspend all daily activities.