12 hrs hill dists bandh effective
LAMKA/ TBL/ KPI, Apr 3: The 12 hour hill districts total bandh called by the All Tribal Chief’s Forum, Manipur (ATCFM) to protest the failure of the Congress led State Government to redress the grievances of the tribal people has thrown normal life out of gear in the hill districts today even as one bandh supporter was injured in police action against the bandh supporters at Kangvai in Ccpur district.
The bandh was ‘total’ in Churachandpur district as bandh supporters ensured that even those services which are not within the bandh purview - including the Press, had a hard time crossing their roadblocks.
A man identified as Jangngam (35) of K Thenjang was injured in a melee as police baton charged inside the campus of Kangvai chief. He was treated at Sielmat Hospital with several injuries including one on his head.
All roads wore deserted look in Ccpur district as volunteers positioned themselves since daybreak along the crucial highways and within the town’s commercial area. Initially holders of bandh passes issued by the chiefs’ committee managed to make their way through the road blocks but as news about police and paramilitary forces resorting to shelling tear-gas shells on volunteers spread, the passes were invalidated and movement of any forms were restricted in many places.
The wrath of the volunteers was first confronted by the Press as the hawker of Imphal based newspapers was forced to return and seek ‘bandh pass.’ Later in the day, some reporters covering the bandh were turned back at Buolzol village but eventually allowed passage. It is not the first time that the Press though effectively declared relaxed during the bandh calls of different organizations was subjected to an awkward situation by the so-called volunteers.
At around 10.30am, a BSF patrolling party and a team of police on duty resorted to open blank fires and tear-gas shells against bandh supporters at Kangvai.
The ATCFM, in a release said that the bandh today was a success while acknowledging the cooperation of the people.
Normal life was affected in Chandel district too. Large number of bandh supporters including women led by Kuki Chiefs’ Association of Tengnoupal and Machi Blocks, Kuki Women Human Rights of Molnoi Area, KSO Chandel district, Thadou Students Association Chandel district, Aimol Students Union came out to the street and blocked the Imphal Moreh section of NH 102. The road leading to District Headquarters was also blocked at Komlathabi and Thamlakhuren Lamkhai.
Shops downed shutters and Govt Offices recorded low attendance as vehicular movement came to a standstill. However, essential services were exempted from the purview of the bandh. The United Chief Council and All Tribal Chiefs Forum Manipur have called the 12-hour total bandh to demand release of MGNREGA 2013-14 funds which they alleged is withheld by the State Government. Of the 100 days mandated job guaranteed by the Act, they have been receiving funds for just 17 days, they alleged and threatened to start more aggressive agitation, including the boycott of Congress party, if their demands are not met by April 5.
The bandh was also effective in Sadar Hills. At around 8:30am some vehicles were partially damaged at IT Road Kangpokpi by bandh supporters. At Leikop, election officials who are to attend rehearsal at Senapati were blocked by the bandh supporters and pelted stone at the vehicles.
SOURCE: Sangai Express.