While condemning the atrocities of state and central security forces in the state, various social and political bodies have endorsed the ongoing indefinite bandh at Chandel district.
In separate statements, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), Chandel District; All Manipur United Clubs’ Organization (AMUCO); Maring Uparup Assembly-the apex body of the Maring tribe, Khudengthabi Village Authority and Khudengthabi Women’s Development Society have strongly condemned the atrocities and barbarian act of the security forces.
“It is not the Assam Rifles, but also the Police, Commandoes and VDF personnel, who are greatly harass and torture the innocent civilian every now and then. They open unrecognised check posts at improper places and harass civilians including babies and hungry street dogs,” ML Haokip, Vice-president of BJYM, Chandel condemned in a release.
NH-102 is also an Asian Highway (AH-I), where many tourists and visitors from foreign countries come and go. Security personnel deployed here cannot be so illiterate, barbaric and lawless like wild beast. It would be a matter of shame for the government if foreigners happen to see how we govern ourselves in the name of democracy at this ultra-modern rat race of civilisation, Haokip added.
Speaking over phone, Phurailatpam Devan Sharma, Vice-president of AMUCO urged the state government not to remain as silent spectator and bring an amicable solution in the interest of the people of Manipur.
The present issue is not only for the people of the Chandel district and due to the present ongoing bandh, people of the state specially businessmen and tourists are suffering, Devan said.
While appealing all civil society organisations to join hands in this ongoing agitation, he also appealed the Home Minister, Gaikhangam to take immediate action against the state security personnel who running the show of illegal tax collection along the HN 102.
Bandh intensified
The indefinite bandh called along the NH-102 in protest against the atrocities of Assam Rifles has been intensified as bandh supporters blocked the roads at different places and since this morning.
According to our Chandel reporter, the bandh was enforced by the volunteers of Kuki Women’s Human Right of Molnoi Area at H. Kotlenphai near Pallel, while Thadou Student’s Association (TSA) Chandel, Molnoi Area Welfare Committee blocked the section of Imphal and prohibited vehicular movement along the road since morning.
Apart from Tengnoupal Village, bandh supporters enforced the bandh at Moreh and at all connecting roads of the Imphal – Moreh section of National Highway. However, there is no report of any unwanted incident happened till filing of this report.
Essential commodities distributed
Due to the bandh, a large number of people and vehicles are stranded at Morh town.
Meanwhile, volunteers and advisory committee of Meetei Council Moreh led by its president M. Thoiba Meetei has distributed essential commodities to drivers, trourists and businessmen who are being stranded at Moreh town due to imposition of bandh.
Announcing the endorsement of the bandh, Thoiba said that the present strike is a demand to protect the rights of the people.
