IMPHAL, Jan 20 : A public meeting was conducted today against the government`s move to station the 34 Assam Rifles at the Phundrei Maning Ching at Khongjom. The AR camp is to be situated at the Khongjom Girls JB School ground.
A JAC formed to deal with the demand for withdrawal of the government`s move organised the meeting with the support of respresentatives from the jilla parishad, pradhan and some civil society organisations along with around a thousand people.
M Nirmala, general secretary of the JAC Khongjom circle while giving the keynote address said that Khongjom was a historical spot known for the struggle waged against the Britishers by the freedom fighters. Many great men had died for the sake of Manipur at this place and to station the security men there would not be in good taste.
The people of Khongjom strongly opposed any attempt to providing a camping area to the security men because of these reasons, he said.
The resolutions taken at the meeting were - to oppose the allottment order for the installation of the 34 AR at Phumdrei Maning Ching by the government of Manipur; as Phundrei Maning Ching is a symbol of the last stuggle of the Anglo-Manipuri war there should be order from the government for keeping any forces there; to appeal for construction of a proper site at Phumdrei; and if the government fails to respond to the demands within five days an agitation would be launched from January 23 against the government.
S Bimola, president of the JAC, S Tombimaipak from Langathel, Th Setu Sapam, L Brojeshore Sapam, K Sunil, general secretary of the NIPCO, Dayananda Chingtham, secretary HERICON, Phulindro K, convenor of COHRO, S Chaoba of Langathel Zilla Parishad were among those who attended the meeting.