Third public meet on Sadar Hills calls for carrying on agitation
Evening meet with CM, another today
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 31 2011: For the third time in three days the assurance of the Chief Minister that the Sadar Hills issue would be positively decided within three months time found no takers amongst the people demanding district status.

Even as the public meeting decided to stick to the ongoing agitation, members of the SHDDC called on the Chief Minister late in the evening today, though details of the meeting or what was discussed are not clear, said a Cabinet Minister.

The secretary of SHDDC, Tonghen Kipgen however said that he was not present at the meeting and added that an invite was received but he did not go.

A meeting is scheduled tomorrow with the Chief Minister at 8 am.

Three SHDDC members representing Kangpokpi, Saikul and Keithelmanbi respectively will be present at the meeting.

A final decision on whether the Chief Minister would proceed to Japan or not will be taken tomorrow.

Like the earlier two public meetings held at Kangpokpi and Kanglatongbi, today's public meeting held at Saikul bazar ended with the public strongly backing continuation of the blockade of National Highways and general strike.

A speaker addresses the gathering at Saikul bazar

Attended by the three MLAs of Sadar Hills and former MP and State unit president of Trinamul Congress Kim Gangte and former MLAs, the meeting was presided by the president of the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee, Ngamkhohao Haokip.

Members of the ADC were also present at the meeting.

The stand of the public to continue with the agitation came despite the appeals by the leaders to repose trust in the assurance of the Chief Minister to give the Government three months time.

The announcement that the Chief Minister had personally written a letter to the people today too urging them suspend the stir, failed to cut ice or soften the stand of the public.

Brushing aside the assurance of the Government, the blockade supporters made it clear that assurances hold no meaning now as there have been numerous such assurances in the past.

It would be meaningless to roll back the agitation at this stage without achieving anything concrete, said the public and urged all to remember that even today hunger strikes are going on inside the jail.

The three months time sought by the Government will come to nought, expressed the public and added that the Chief Minister is buying time for the election code of conduct to come into force.

Making their stand clear, womenfolk who have been at the forefront of the agitation said that if any agreement is reached with the Government without the goals achieved then those party to the agreement should bear the responsibility.

SHDDC meanwhile said that another meeting between the MLAs and public leaders will be held to decide on the question of whether the agitation should be suspended or not.

Free passage would be granted to vehicles ferrying life saving drugs, they said.

Kim Gangte said that the demand for Sadar Hills district is not the demand for Kukis alone but is meant for all the communities living in Sadar Hills.

It would be wrong to view it along communal line.

It would be a gross travesty of justice if the people of Sadar Hills are made to suffer longer on the demand for the office of a DC and an SP all these years, she further said.