IMPHAL, Dec 29 - Police have foiled a rally against �black laws�, including the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) here today.
The anti-CAA rally was taken out by a group of youths wearing traditional attires. The rally started from Khurai Sajor Leikai in Imphal East and proceeded towards Kangla Fort in the heart of Imphal.
However, a police team stopped them at Lamlong Bazar where the protesters engaged in a heated argument with the policemen. The police then forced them to turn back.
The rally was taken out in protest against enforcement of �black laws� such as the AFSPA and the CAA.
A protester told reporters that the rally was organised by like-minded youths to protest against �imposition of various black laws on the indigenous peoples of the region with a hidden agenda to eliminate them from their own land�.
In another development, the Manipur People Against Citizenship (Amendment) Act (MANPAC) has said that it will continue to oppose the amended citizenship law. It reiterated its stand against the CAA after its convener Yumnamcha Dilipkumar was released by the police on Saturday. He was picked up by the police on Friday night.
The MANPAC, a collective of civil society organizations in the State, described the police action as a part of the BJP-led State government�s attempts to gag the anti-CAA campaigners.
Dilipkumar was picked up by a team of police commandos from his home at Naoremthong Shamusang area in Imphal West district at around 11 pm on Friday. He was detained at Lamphel police station before he was released on Saturday.
The police, however, are yet to clarify on what ground he was picked up and detained overnight.
The MANPAC believed that it was due to its campaign against the CAA. The MANPAC had appealed to the people not to participate in a BJP rally in support of the CAA held in Imphal yesterday.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, the MANPAC leaders urged the State government not to gag the freedom of speech and expression of the civil society organisations protesting against the CAA.
MANPAC co-convener Abdullah Phundreimayum said that it is unfortunate that the government is trying to suppress the freedom of expression which is the fundamental right of the citizens. He said that the MANPAC has taken a stand against the CAA and will continue to do so.
