SIPHRO

Imphal, March 21, 2007: A joint meeting of KSO, kuki Movement for Human Rights and Kuki Chiefs’ Association, Chandel district held at Kuki Inn on March 19 has unanimously decided to go ahead with the proposed 12 hour State-wide bandh from 6 am of March 23.

Moreover, a mega rally in collaboration with Delhi-based/units of KSO, Siamsinpawlpi (Paites), Gangte Students’ Organisation, Mizo Zillai Pawl, Zillai (Vaiphei), Zou students, Naga Students’ Union Delhi would also be taken out in New Delhi to coincide with the bandh call, said a KSO (GHQ) release.

The agitation is being planned against continued suffering and victimisation of villagers in remote areas due to planting and blast of landmines, to highlight grievances of tribal people in Chandel district’s Khengjoi and New Samtal areas who are allegedly used as human shields by a UG group and mass rape of women folk of Parbung and Lungthulien villages in Churachandpur district.

While urging all civil society organisations and individuals to support the cause, the KSO release also informed that the said meeting resolved upon intimating State authorities to sanitise villages from landmines, appeal to UG groups to stop terrorising the public and respect status quo and integrity of the three major tribes.

Meanwhile, the Vaiphei Students’ Association (Zillai), general headquarters has pledged unflinching support to sponsors of the 12 hour bandh being planned from 6 am of March 23. The agitation call is being imposed to highlight grievances of the tribal people including alleged mass rape of women in Parbung and Lungthulien of Churachandpur district, landmine issue and mass abduction of villagers of Chandel district, said a Zillai release that also informed that activities/movement connected to the ongoing HSSLC and HSLC examinations would be exempted from the purview of the bandh.

All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur has also pledged support to the proposed agitation being imposed to highlight plight of the tribal people.

Source: The Sangai Express