MPYCC's bid to storm CM's residence stopped

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 23 : Accusing the Government of failing to protect lives, members of the Youth Congress tried to storm the Chief Minister’s bungalow at Babupara today.
Holding placards and the party's flag, around 10 Youth Congress workers, led by Manipur Pradesh Youth Congress Committee (MPYCC) president Wahengbam Anand, marched towards the heavily guarded CM bungalow around 2.30 pm and banged on its gate while raising several demands.
It is reported that four members of MPYCC have been arrested by police.
"Wake up, sleeping Chief Minister; wake up, sleeping Home Minister," they shouted while protesting against the Government’s failure to restore law and order in the State.
The MPYCC team urged the Chief Minister and the Home Minister to step down if they are unable to protect the lives and properties of the people.
As the protest intensified, they shouted slogans such as “Release the hostages,” “Resign, irresponsible Chief Minister and Home Minister,” “Stop killing civilians,” “We condemn all acts of terrorism,” “Down with BJP,” and “We won’t allow BJP to break Manipur,” among others.
Speaking to the media, MPYCC president W Anand asked how long the Chief Minister and the Home Minister would remain inactive when Manipur continues to burn.
He said that the State Government has not been able to apprehend anyone involved in the killing of civilians.
Saying that the State Government has been turning a blind eye to all forms of terrorism inflicted on civilians, Anand asked how long the Government would continue to make people suffer.
He said they came to wake up the Chief Minister, the Home Minister, and all the ruling MLAs, who he alleged had remained passive amid the crisis besetting Manipur.
Anand added that they did not come to challenge the security forces or create a scene, but to put pressure on the Government to take action to protect the people.
He questioned whether the right to life also applies to the people of Manipur, accusing the Government of acting against the interests of the indigenous population.
Later, a brief confrontation broke out between the Youth Congress team and security personnel.
The protesters attempted to continue their demonstration by sitting in the middle of the road in front of the bungalow.
However, they were removed by police led by Imphal West SP Ksh Shivakanta and taken away in a police vehicle.
Meanwhile, the MPYCC has demanded unconditional release of its four members.
Addressing the media at Congress Bhavan later in the evening, MPYCC vice president Thingujam Kiran Meetei said the protest was staged because the Government has remained silent on the hostage crisis, which has triggered widespread protests across the State.
According to him, the arrested MPYCC members are president Wahengbam Anand, general secretary (Lilong) Zabir Ahamed, executive member Tarique and  Keishamthong Block Youth Congress president Heisnam Dipu.