The 24 hours Manipur bandh called by Committee for Koziiri and Dzukou Land Boundaries and supported by various civil society organisations including United Committee Manipur (UCM) and All Manipur United Club Organisation (AMUCO) is almost total in the state capital Imphal and other parts of the state. Mao Council and Committee for Koziiri and Dzukou Land Boundaries had called the 24 hours Bandh against the state government inaction over the incursion of land at Dzuko Valley by Southern Angami body of Nagaland. The Mao Council however, called off the bandh yesterday after the Chief Minister had reported assured them to commission an enquiry over the matter. However, other Committee for Koziiri and Dzukou Land Boundaries went ahead with the proposed bandh paralysing almost all wake of life in the state.
Here, in the state capital Imphal bandh supporters came out at the street from early hours today morning and stopped all sorts of vehicular movement. At many places bandh supporters were sent burning planks and woods at the middle of the road to prevent vehicular movement. The bandh supporters however allowed emergency, water supply, doctors and other related staffs and also those related with rituals.
Almost all shops and business establishments at Imphal Khwairambandh Keithel and its surroundings were put to a complete halt, Entertainment houses, banks and other private offices, schools and colleges were shut down. Government offices including state assembly secretariat, DC Imphal East and DC Imphal West offices and the Secretariat building were seen deserted as most employees could not turn up because of the bandh.
Report reaching here from Mao said that, all vehicular movements were put to complete halt and all shops and business establishments remained closed. Vehicles coming from Nagaland side were reported stranded at Mao gate till late hours today.
At Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai area in Imphal West, where the Imphal Times office is located, UCM president Elangbam Johnson along with other volunteers personally came out at the street and requested to return back vehicles which had came along the route.
Speaking to this reporter, UCM President Elangbam Johnson said that even though the Mao Council had called off the bandh other organisation like the Committee for Koziiri and Dzukou Land Boundaries as well as students’ body of Mao area did not called off. He appealed the people to co-operate with the bandh called as it is for all of us in the state.
This reporter also witnessed the UCM president confronting with police officers which came to stop them. Later, as the UCM president and his team were not violating any rules of law but requesting the commuters to support them, the police team left the place having no other choice.
Till the report there were no reports of any untoward incidents.
