The Hindu : Front Page : Unified headquarters set up in Manipur

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 21, 2004

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Front Page

Unified headquarters set up in Manipur

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 20. The Government has set up a unified headquarters in Manipur to coordinate anti-insurgency operations. Headed by Chief Minister Ibobi Singh, it has been in place from September 16.

Apunba Lup begins blockade

By Iboyaima Laithangbam

IMPHAL, SEPT. 20. Manipur was cut off from the rest of the country from last midnight as its lifelines — the two national highways — were blocked by the Apunba Lup, which is spearheading the agitation for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958.

The Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi Singh, told The Hindu that despite his assurance of full protection to the drivers of trucks and inter-State buses, they had declared that they would not ply vehicles during the 16-day agitation.

Schools, colleges closed

In response to the call given by the three students' organisations, all educational institutions have been closed.

These organisations have "banned" the teaching of Hindi at all levels. They said that since the Centre was not treating the people of Manipur as its citizens, there was no meaning in learning the language. The student leaders say while POTA was being repealed, there was refusal to withdraw the AFSPA.

The Apunba Lup has also taken umbrage at the statements of the Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, and Mr. Singh that the agitation in the State was petering out. With the help of additional security forces, the Government has beefed up security throughout the State. Armed police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in all trouble-prone areas.

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