Imphal: A large number of students from various colleges and schools took part in a rally carried out in Imphal in protest against the killing of civilians by the security forces in Nagaland.
All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) organized the rally as a part of region wide protest under the aegis of Northeast Students’ Organization (NESO) demanding repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the Northeast region.
The students carried out the rally on the streets in Imphal in protest and condemnation against the mass killing of civilians by security forces in Mon district of Nagaland on December 4.
The slogan shouting protest rally also carried placards read as “Save democracy, repeal AFSPA”, “Give peace a chance, repeal AFSPA,” “Remove AFSPA,” etc.
The rally started from AMSU head office at DM University campus, marched on the streets in Imphal and culminated at the AMSU office.
Talking to reporters, AMSU general secretary, Bikramjit Thongam said that the protest rally was staged as a part of mass protest across the Northeast against the recent mass killing of civilians by security forces in Nagaland and demanding repeal of the AFSPA from the entire NE region.
He alleged that under the shadow of the Act, many innocent civilians have been killed by the security forces in the region. “If the Act continues to prevail in the region, such horrific incidents will continue in the region,” he added.
AMSU is demanding repeal of the Act from the entire Northeast including Manipur. AMSU will also submit a memorandum regarding the demand to the government, he added.
The AMSU general secretary declared that as a constituent of NESO, AMSU will extend its full support to NESO’s movement demanding repeal of the Act.
NNN