Following the government's inaction in releasing the five arrested village volunteers, despite a 48-hour statewide shutdown, six civil organisations have declared a "Fill the jails protest" from Thursday at 1 pm.
The civil bodies involved are Langthabal Kendra Club Coordinating Committee (LKCCC), Langthabal Kendra Meira Paibi Coordinating Committee, All Kongba Road United Club Organisation, Koroumakhong United Club, Sagolband Apunba Lup, and Khurai Ahongei Thangjam Leikai Club and Meira Paibi.
The 48-hour shutdown, initiated by these six organisations, will conclude on Wednesday at midnight.
Regrettably, the government has not provided a positive response to the release of the five village volunteers apprehended at Kongba area on September 16.
Given the government's failure to address their demands, the six organisations convened at Maibam Leikai Community Hall in Imphal on Wednesday evening to deliberate on their next steps.
During the meeting, they vehemently criticised the government's inability to understand the public's sentiment.
The "Fill the jails protest" is a subsequent action plan established during the meeting, with the aim of securing the release of the arrested village volunteers. Speaking to the media, LKCCC president Y Hitler appealed to all local bodies to assemble at 12 noon on Thursday within their respective jurisdictions and gather at the nearest police station at 1pm demanding their own arrests to overcrowd the jails.
He stated, "Since everyone, including the Meira Paibi, are village volunteers safeguarding their communities from Kuki militants, we should ask the police to arrest us as well."
Additionally, Hitler announced a convention of all CSOs and local clubs on September 23 to ensure the safety of village volunteers from security personnel, urging the public to engage in democratic protests.
