Imphal, March 23, 2007: Normal life in some parts of the hill districts particularly in Kuki dominated areas was affected due to the 12 hour bandh called by the Kuki Students’ Organisation, Chandel, Kuki Movement for Human Rights and Kuki Chiefs’ Association, Chandel district to protest the alleged abduction of Kuki refugees from Chandel district to neighbouring Myanmar and planting of landmines in Khengjoi areas in the district by an underground organisation.
Business establishments at Moreh and Tengnoupal in Chandel, Kangpokpi and Saikul in Sadar Hills, entire Churachandpur district and some parts in Tamenglong and Ukhrul districts were paralyzed by the strike.
Passenger buses plying in these districts also ceased service for the day.
Though business activities in the capital areas were partially affected apparently due to absence of public transport system people were seen scurrying through the streets on private vehicles, mostly two wheelers.
The dawn to dusk strike which was supported by some tribal bodies however did not affect regular flight service.
The ongoing class XII examination was also not affected as the bandh sponsors had announced exemption of examination-related activities from the purview of the bandh.
KSO president Lunsei Thouthang, while expressing his gratitude towards the people for supporting the agitation , urged the state government to clear landmines planted by the underground organisation at certain villages in Chandel district to ensure free movements of the villagers and create a peaceful atmosphere.
Chandel villagers residing along the borderlines, however, dismissed the Kuki bodies’ allegation of their abduction by a rebel group saying that no underground organisation had herded them from TS Laijang camp into Myanmarese territory in collusion with the Myanmarese Army as was alleged.
These villagers had been staying at the camp following heavy firing between the security forces and the underground cadres recently, they said adding that they left the camp on their own will to their respective villages passing Myanmar, to tend to their fields.
Source: The Sangai Express
See also:
- Environmental Clearance of Tipaimukh Dam by MoEF (October 31st, 2008)
- Chakka bandh on Sep 18 against Tipaimukh dam (September 17th, 2008)
- 1 lakh Manipur villagers hit by bamboo flowering (September 2nd, 2008)
- Heavy security to be deployed on 99 km stretch of road to Tipaimukh dam (July 29th, 2008)
- Army launches Tipaimukh vigil (April 30th, 2008)