IMPHAL, Aug 17: A general strike paralysed the capital of northeastern India's revolt-hit Manipur state on Tuesday after the death of a student who set himself on fire to protest a security law giving the army sweeping powers.
The Apunba Lup group, a coalition of 32 civil bodies opposing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, called the strike in the remote state bordering Myanmar after Monday's death of Pebam Chittaranjan, 28.
The student set himself ablaze on Sunday on India's Independence Day to demonstrate against the law and ran down a street in flames before collapsing with burns to 80 percent of his body.
"We've no tears left to cry. Our young ones are being butchered daily. Our homeland is on fire," said Mema Devi, 55, one of the protest leaders. Manipur, where armed separatists have been battling New Delhi's rule for more than two decades, has been on the boil for a month.
Protesters have been demanding withdrawal of the act giving security forces authority to shoot on sight and detain rebel suspects without a warrant. Anger over the law has been simmering on and off for years in Manipur but reached a pitch in July after the death of a 32-year-old woman, Thangjam Manorama.
Soldiers are accused of raping and killing her but security forces say she was a leading rebel separatist and died in a gun battle. Official inquiries were ordered into her death after women protestors stripped in front of an army garrison, carrying placards reading: "Indian Army rape us," drawing national attention.
In the past few weeks, demonstrators have fought street battles with troops and soldiers have used rubber bullets and teargas to break up protests. Three other protestors set themselves alight but were saved by troops.
More than 20 rebel groups have been fighting for freedom for Manipur since 1980, accusing the national government of neglecting the state's economic welfare. In a bid to calm passions, the Manipur government said last week it would lift the anti-terror law in some areas. But protesters want its full repeal.
Manipur was once a princely state under British rule and joined India in 1949. Dissidents say their king was forced to join India under pressure from New Delhi. Manipur imposed the security act in 1980 to fight the insurgency that has left more than 10,000 dead.
Security forces say the law is needed to combat militants in Manipur, one of seven northeastern states that are a cauldron of rebel groups seeking greater autonomy or independence. -AFP