Newmai News Network
Imphal: Ten opposition parties in Manipur demanded the release of six party workers on Monday, arrested by police following their rally.
A brief clash broke out between workers of 10 opposition political parties and the police on October 14 when a rally participated in by leaders and workers targeting Raj Bhavan to submit a memorandum to the governor regarding the ongoing crisis in the state was blocked by the police.
Later, the police allowed the rally to proceed and submitted a memorandum that demanded suitable action on the part of the governor to restore peace in the state.
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In the aftermath of the rally, the police arrested six members of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) who participated in the rally in connection with the clash.
The police were also reportedly searching for some other workers of the parties for arrest.
Addressing a joint press conference at the Manipur Press Club, Imphal, leaders of the 10 opposition parties demanded that the six arrested workers should be released immediately without any conditions.
Representing the 10 political parties, Dr Nimaichand Luwang of JD(U) said that there will be no peace and that the present crisis will not end so long as the BJP is in power in the state.
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There will be peace in the state when the incumbent BJP government is out of power and the chief minister is removed, he also said.
Dr Nimaichand added that this will happen after the Lok Sabha elections due in the early part of 2024. “The BJP will be thrown out of power at the Centre after the elections and its government in the state will automatically collapse once the party (BJP) is not returned to the centre”, he said.
Dr Nimaichand alleged that under BJP rule, every democratic movement is suppressed using force if it is against the government.
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The press conference was also attended by leaders of INC, AAP, AIFB, AITC, CPI, CPI(M), JD(U), NCP, RSP, SS(UBT). They decried the actions of the police while demanding the unconditional release of the six Congress workers.