Foothills Naga areas are set to face further disruption as the Foothills Naga Co-ordination Committee (FNCC) has called an indefinite bandh beginning midnight of April 23, even as the three-day shutdown imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC) entered its final day today.
In a statement issued on April 22, the FNCC said the decision was taken during its executive meeting, alleging that the Manipur Government has failed to implement the Memorandum of Agreement signed on February 20 this year despite repeated appeals and sufficient time. The Committee stated that continued inaction has forced it to resume democratic agitation.
The indefinite bandh will impose restrictions on movement and economic activities across all Foothills Naga areas and will remain in force until further notice. The FNCC maintained that the agitation is aimed at compelling the Government to honour its commitments and address longstanding grievances of the Foothills Naga population.
Taking a firm stance, the Committee said the Government’s lack of urgency and sincerity has left it with no alternative but to intensify its protest. It, however, urged authorities to act responsibly and resolve the issue at the earliest to prevent further hardship to the public.
Appealing for cooperation, the FNCC called upon citizens, civil society organisations and stakeholders to maintain peace, discipline and unity during the bandh. It added that detailed guidelines and operational instructions would be issued shortly through its Information and Publicity wing.
Meanwhile, the impact of the ongoing UNC bandh was visible in parts of Imphal, where RNCM/RNLP Imphal Luangrian and Sangaithel Thuizang Lupam at Sangaithel blocked roads in support of the shutdown, indicating a widening mobilisation across Naga-inhabited areas.