The Hindu : National : Manipur bandh today

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Monday, Jul 26, 2004

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National

Manipur bandh today

IMPHAL, JULY 25. A 24-hour State-wide strike has been called by 32 voluntary organisations in Manipur to protest the cremation of the body of Thangjam Manorama "without the approval of the victim's family members."

The body of Manorama, which had been lying in the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) morgue for two weeks, was cremated by the district authorities last evening.

This is the second time a general strike has been called by different volunteer organisations demanding the abolition of the Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958, and punishment to the Assam Rifles personnel for allegedly killing Manorama on July 11.

The victim was picked up from her Bamon Kampu residence in Imphal East District on the intervening night of July 10 and 11 allegedly by 17 Assam Rifles personnel. Her body was found on July 11. — UNI

Student leader arrested

PTI reports:

A senior student leader was arrested here today for observing a fast-unto-death to press for the removal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, official sources said.

The former president of the All-Manipur Students Union (AMSU), Bheigyachandra Singh, tied himself with iron chains and went on a fast-unto-death in front of the Nupi Lal (women's war) memorial complex here.

Three major students' organisations — the AMSU, the Manipur Students Federation and the Democratic Students Association Manipur — said they would launch a series of agitations to demand the withdrawal of the act.

A report from Churachandpur district said three persons were arrested today for trying to sell smuggled arms at Tuibong area. The arms smuggled from Myanmar included two M-16 rifles and a rocket launcher, it said.

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