Newmai News Network
Imphal | February 20
Rebel groups in Manipur have announced a total shutdown on February 22 as a mark of boycotting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the poll bound state.
Modi is scheduled to arrive in Imphal on a few hours visit in the state to campaign for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the ensuing two-phase polls to the state Assembly.
While announcing the boycott in an email, Coordination Committee (CorCom), a conglomerate of major rebel groups in Manipur, said that the total shutdown will be effective from 1:00 am of February 22 till the Prime Minister leaves the state.
Essential services like medical services, fire service, electricity, water supply, and religious related matters will not be covered by the total shutdown, it said.
The CorCom alleged that the Prime Minister is visiting the state to strengthen “colonial rule in the region,” while adding that Manipur (Kangleipak) has been occupied by India for more than 70 years. “The visit of the Prime Minister is not to ensure independence for Manipur but to further strengthen India’s occupation of the region,” CorCOM maintained.
It said that in every election conducted under the Constitution of India; almost all the political parties do not mention anything about the protection of the land and people of the state in their manifestos.
The group further termed the elections as a tool to divide the people of the state by spewing hatred and venom among the different communities living together.
Meanwhile, the United People's Revolutionary Front of Manipur (UPRFM), another armed rebel group, also announced a boycott of Prime Minister’s visit, calling for total shutdown across the state from 1:00 am of February 22 till the Prime Minister leaves the state.
“The frequent visit of the Prime Minister of India is not to shape the future of the Kangleipak as India has been suppressing and colonizing the state under the mask of democracy,” it said.
It alleged that only during election times, the Indian leaders would try to “tame” the people of the state and that they never bother about the series of human rights violations committed by the security forces.
