Manipur is burning: Indefinite bandh imposed, film artistes baton charged

IMPHAL, Dec 21, 2012 [TSE]: Film actors and artistes today took out a protest demonstration against the molestation of a film actress and firing at two other artistes by NSCN-IM's Lt Col Livinstone at Chandel district headquarters on December 18. The actors were protesting against the NSCN-IM's sheer disrespect of law and women's modesty. They were also demanding befitting punishment to Livingstone under the country's laws. In the meantime, the Film Forum Manipur, Manipur State Shumang Leela Council and many civil society organisations have called an indefinite bandh all over the State with effect from this midnight for the same cause and demand which is punishment of accused Livingstone according to law. As the agitating actors and artistes marched towards the Chief Minister's office, they were blocked by the police, resulting in a tense stand-off. Ultimately, police resorted to baton-charging in their bid to drive back the protesters. In the ensuing scuffle, the victim of the molestation case collapsed. Earlier, in the day, film actors together with members of different civil society organisations staged a protest demonstration at Keishampat junction. The protesting actors chanted slogans like "Punish guilty Livingstone according to law", "NSCN-IM cannot have free run in Manipur", "Government should initiate befitting measures against NSCN-IM etc". On account of the protest demonstration, traffic along the busy road was disrupted for sometime. The actors squatted on the road thereby blocking traffic. They questioned how the police men could remain mute spectator when an actress was molested and kicked around by an outlaw right in front their eyes. They demanded the Government to act against the haughty, unlawful and uncivilized conduct of NSCN-IM in Manipur. After sometime, police resorted to baton-charging the protesters in order to drive them away. Coming back from the Chief Minister's office, the protesters held a meeting at Keishampat. There again, they shouted slogans like, "The Chief Minister should resign if he is unable to keep Chandel district under laws of the State", "Drive out NSCN-IM from the soil of Manipur", "No cease fire with NSCN-IM should be applied in Manipur, de facto or otherwise", "We condemn Government's indifference towards artistes" etc. Later the gathering agreed to continue with all sorts of agitation until and unless Livingstone Anal is punished accordingly and befitting actions are not initiated against NSCN-IM. Meanwhile, the All Tribal Women Organisation, Chandel district has strongly condemned molestation of an actress and firing at two other artistes by NSCN-IM's Livingstone at Maha Union Ground during a musical concert on December 18. It appealed to the Government to ensure that no such ugly incidents ever happen again. The organisation also appealed to the NSCN-IM leadership to ensure that none of its cadres ever commit such heinous and abominable crimes in future.

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