Imphal: A bike rally by Congress workers and supporters in Imphal East on Sunday demanded repeal of the Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958. They also protested against inflation and the ever increasing prices of the essential commodities.
The rally organized by Manipur Pradesh Youth Congress (MPYC) kicked off from Iputhou Wangbren Lampak at Thongju in Imphal East district and snaked through various places across the Thongju Assembly constituency. While flagging off the rally, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) vice president, Tongbram Mangibabu Singh came down heavily on the BJP while accusing the ruling party of sidelining the demand for repeal of the AFSPA.
He said that even as the Central leaders were against it, the then Congress government led by Okram Ibobi Singh removed the Act from the seven Assembly segments under Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC). “However, the BJP in the state is still not saying anything to repeal the Act even after nearly five years in power,” he also said.
The BJP had promised to repeal the Act if the party came to power in the state, he alleged. “Now, the people of not only Manipur but also the entire northeast renewed their demand for repeal of the Act after the recent killing by security forces in Nagaland,” he added. But, the leaders of the saffron party in the region remain silent”, he alleged.
The MPCC vice president said that today’s rally by MPYC was organized to make people aware of the “misdeeds” of the Narendra Modi led BJP government at the Centre. He also said that people had voted BJP to power believing in the false propagandas of its leaders during election campaigns. “However, as the activities of the saffron party contradict the election promises, people are at the limit of their woes,” the Congress leader added.
The MPCC leader then said that there is the need to make people aware that the BJP government is rendering only lip service. He added that the BJP is running a government by violating the Constitution of the country.
NNN