IMPHAL, January 15: The North East Dialogue Forum organised a mass rally cum public meeting on `International Humanitarian Law and Right to Life` today.
The rally participated by meira paibis and club volunteers of Sanjenbam, Lairenkabi, Heibongpokpi, Lamban, Lamlongei, Tera Urak, Kadangband, Phayeng, SIngda, Haorang Keirel, Haorang Khunou, Sairemkhul and Tairempokpi commenced from Heibongpokpi Community Hall and concluded at Lairenkabi Dramatic Hall where the public meeting was held.
The meeting was attended by Naharolgi Thoudang editor Kh Loyalakpa, Phayeng Nupi Lup president A Tomalei Devi, Heibongpokpi Nupi Lup joint secretary A Memchoubi Devi, Women Action for Development secretary Sobita Mangsatabam, United NGOs Mission Manipur secretary U Nobokishore, social scientist Dr Dhanabir Laishram as presidium members.
After the meeting the North East Dialogue Forum submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Home minister and the Director General of Police.
The memorandum included demands for the Prime Minster to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, investigate the discovery of the eight skulls and skeletons from inside the Tombisana High School campus by constituting a three-member independent enquiry commission headed by a retired judge, investigate to identify the culprit who shot a VDF personnel posted at Lamsang Police on November 27.
Other demands also include constitution of special investigation team to make sure perpetrators of all crimes are brought to justice, establishment of a separate department to deal with the gender based discrimination, direction to the State government to fill up the two posts of judge of the Manipur High Court which have been left vacant since the establishment of the court.
Speaking at the public meeting, Loyalakpa said there are no answers to any of the ugly incidents occurring in the State today.
He said even though security personnel continue to violate rights despite of the AFSPA being lifted from the seven segments of the Imphal Municipality, all 60 members of the State Assembly have continued to remain silent.
The AFSPA was implemented with the main aim to check the armed movement but it has only fan the people`™s ire he said.