IT News
Imphal, June 5:
An irate mob attacked the residence of two Committee of Tribals Unity (COTU) leaders, during which one person was reportedly shot dead, following the declaration to relax the blockade on National Highways by the Committee of Tribals Unity (COTU), Sadar Hills District on Sunday.
Volunteers and the public revolted intensely against the Kuki National Front’s reported stance to reopen the Highways. An enraged mob burned down the house of the COTU Chairman at Saparmeina, in Kangpokpi district as per sources.
Following the announcement to relax the blockade for a week, unhappy volunteers who were on duty at Gamgiphai Village also stormed the house of the COTU president, sources said. As a mark of protest, the volunteers left their duty post from Gamgiphai.
KNF (P) Supremo, a Minister’s husband, sent his boys to Motbung and reportedly opened fire against the dissenting volunteers. He has further issued an order to search out the dissenting volunteers who have abandoned their posts, sources said.
The declaration to relax the curfew by COTU was made in a release issued by its Department of Information and Publicity, Kangpokpi district on Sunday.
It stated that the Committee on Tribal Unity, Sadar-Hills Kangpokpi District had a comprehensive consultation with various Civil Society organizations, Village Chiefs, Youth leaders, and Women’s Forums on several issues.
As a goodwill gesture to the Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Kangpokpi district, the blockade on National Highway has been temporarily suspended for a period of 7 days starting from June 5, it stated. However, only essential commodities and medical supplies will be allowed to ply on the Highway with the escort of the Central forces, it added
COTU further stated that the timing for the movement of trucks shall be limited between 10 am to 2 pm. “This is done wholly in support of the ‘Peace Mission’ of the Government of India to address the Kuki Political Issue. If attacks are carried out on Kuki villages by Armed Meeteis during the suspension, the committee will be compelled to relook into the matter,” it further stated.
Earlier, Union Home Minister, Amit Shah took to Twitter about the blockade in Manipur and made an appeal to lift the blockade on the National Highways in the state.
He posted, “My sincerest appeal to the people of Manipur is to lift the blockades at the Imphal-Dimapur, NH-2 Highway, so that food, medicines, Petrol/Diesel, and other necessary items can reach the people. I also request that Civil Society Organisations do the needful in bringing consensus. Together only we can restore normalcy in this beautiful state.”
