Khundrakpam Kendra Youth Organisation(KHUKYO) has appealed the United Naga Council to lift the 10 days economic blockade in view of the ensuing Ningol Chakouba festival, Manipur’s biggest festival slated on Nov 13.
According to KHUKYO statement issued by its publicity secretary I.Tony, calling of economic blockade on the National highway by UNC on the eve of Ningol Chakouba is very unfortunate. ‘Ningol Chakouba’ is a special day for the married daughters in Manipur which strengthens fraternity and love. On this special day, a grand feast of ‘iinjang mathen-mathen’ (various cuisines) is prepared in the honour of the daughter at her ‘mapam’ (mother’s house).It said that the festival belongs to all community both living in hill and valley.
However, calling of blockade has shocked the people particularly the people in the valley. As such, we appeal UNC to lift the blockade in view of the cultural festival. Calling of bandh, blockade for a petty demand has been a fashion in Manipur. Although, bandh, blockade targets the government, the innocent people become the victim of such agitation. Manipur Government and centre should come out with a policy to prevent bandh and economic blockade culture in the state to avoid unwanted happenings.
It may be recalled that a 10-day economic blockade was called by United Naga Council (UNC) against the three bills passed by the Manipur government. The blockade was effective from Monday midnight. The UNC decision on imposing the economic blockade came after a meeting held on October 29, which seriously reviewed the overall political development and situation prevailing in the state of Manipur particularly Nagas and tribal’s in the hills.
In the meanwhile, Naga People’s Organization (NPO) which will be spearheading the blockade has made known its strategies on imposing the blockade in the district.NPO sources said that its volunteers will not allow any movement of commercial goods carriers, tankers, trucks and inter-state buses to carry commodities during the blockade. The apex body of the district informed that following the directives of the UNC, volunteers will be deployed in different locations along the National Highway -2 to enforce the blockade effectively.”Any violation of the economic blockade by any vehicle or attempting to do so will be doing on their own risk, for which any consequences will not be the responsibility of Naga civil bodies or tribe hohos” said NPO sources.
The NPO’s decision came after UNC issued another statement ahead of the blockade instructing all Naga bodies to strictly observe the bandh. The UNC had earlier issued a directive to all civil bodies in hill districts and tribe hohos to impose the 10-day economic blockade. However, as per the UNC’s decision, life saving items will be exempted from the purview of the blockade. The UNC on October 30 had announced imposition of the economic blockade and the banning of all national and international projects in Manipur.
