M A I N   N E W S

30,000 defy curfew in Manipur

Imphal, July 22
At least 30,000 anti-ceasefire protesters today defied indefinite curfew and marched in a procession as security posts remained alert in view of the 24-hour general strike, called by the United Committee Manipur, starting from midnight tonight.

Official sources said at least 20,000 persons gathered at the Mongsangei ground in Imphal West and marched along the Nambul river bank to Keisampat here defying curfew and prohibitory orders.

As roadside sit-in protesters joined the procession at several places the number of participants crossed 30,000, reports said, adding that the processionists later proceeded towards the Imphal Airport road from Keisampat. They reconverged on the Mongsangei ground where they held a meeting. Several speakers stressed the need to continue the agitation till the ceasefire was withdrawn from Manipur.

In Kohima, several Naga organisations have urged the Centre not to abrogate the ceasefire agreement between the Centre and the NSCN (I-M), cautioning that such a decision might derail the entire Naga peace process.

The Ex-Parliamentarian Association of Nagaland expressed serious concern over the development in the region and appealed to the neighbouring states to be “more considerate and conduct a serious retrospection” into the events of North-Eastern political history pertaining to Nagaland.

Meanwhile, Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was killed and another injured when unidentified militants ambushed a BSF party at the Sugnu area in Manipur’s Thoubal district, official sources said today.

The militants attacked the BSF personnel who were travelling from their posts at Loktak in Bishenpur district to the Sugnu area in Thoubal district yesterday.

The BSF jawan who was killed has been identified as Setbir (30) of Haryana, sources said.

Reports from Manipur said dharnas, relay fast and public meetings were reported from several places, including Thumbuthong, Yaiskul, Wangkhei, Singjamei, Sagolband, Thangmeiband, Khurai, Kwakeithel, Chingmeirong, etc.

Huge rallies were also reported from the interior districts of Thoubal and Bishenpur, the sources said.

Hundreds of placards planted at several sit-in sites read “We love Manipur as Advani loves Kashmir,” “Why attempt to divide our Motherland,” “Withdraw ceasefire,” “No one on earth can break up Manipur,” “Manipur is not a dreamland which you can fragment and distribute it to various communities,” “Why Centre dislikes Manipuris”. PTI, UNI