Gen strike called

Crying for justice, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) Against the Brutal Killing of Akoijam Priyobarta has called a 48-hour general strike in the State with effect from 1 am of March 21. Announcing this in a statement, JAC convenor Thoudam Sharat Meitei said that so far the agitation/protest against the brutal killing has been democratic and peaceful, but the JAC has been to go for hard and violent mean of protest as a result of the indifferent attitude of the Govt. The Govt has been given five days time to bring justice and truth but has failed to pay heed to the cry, the JAC rued. The JAC has also categorically warned that the responsibility for any untoward incident during the general strike should rest on the Govt. It may be recalled here that Priyobarta was allegedly killed by the Police Commandos during an encounter at Langol on March 15 and arms recovered from his possession. But the family members have refuted that police claim asserting that he was an innocent person and had gone out from home driving a Bajaj Pulsar and carrying Rs 8000.