24 hrs total shutdown complete in Sadar Hills, CCpur
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, June 09 2016: Strongly condemning the crackdown on tribal protesters in New Delhi by Delhi Police and Manipur Rifles personnel posted at Manipur Bhawan, Thadou bodies including TSA, TWA and TYA enforced the 24-hour 'total shutdown' in Sadar Hills today.

In the backdrop of Delhi Police and Manipur Rifles action towards the tribal protesters at Manipur Bhawan in Delhi, the tribal bodies under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee against Anti-Tribal Bills (JAC) had imposed a 24-hour 'total shutdown' in all tribal areas of Manipur since yesterday midnight.

Enforcing the joint resolution of the JAC against Anti-Tribal Bills and the Outer Manipur Tribals' Forum (OMTF), an apex body of the Hmar Inpui, Mizo People Convention, Thadou Inpi, United Naga Council and Zomi Council in its emergency meeting on June 8 to impose a 24 hour total shutdown in all tribal areas against the crackdown on tribal protesters in New Delhi, the Thadou bodies enforced the shutdown along NH-2 in Sadar Hills today.

The bandh being enforced at Sadar hills

Volunteers of Thadou bodies blocked the Trans Asian Highway No 1 at Gamgiphai and Motbung by burning tyres and putting up benches in the middle of the road.

Thadou bodies' volunteers verified the documents of examination candidates, patients, airport, etc.

while totally restricting other vehicles.

Business establishments at Koubru Leikha, Sapormeina, Motbung and Gamgiphai were also closed for the day while Government institutions witnessed minimal attendance due to the total shutdown.

Expressing strong displeasure over the high-handedness and excesses of the Delhi Police as well as Manipur Rifles personnel posted at Manipur Bhawan, Sardar Patel Marg, New Delhi, the Thadou bodies vehemently condemned the incident wherein several "peaceful and unarmed" tribal protesters were "assaulted and detained" by Delhi Police and Manipur Rifles personnel.

"When excessive force could be used against the peaceful and unarmed tribal protesters without prior warning in gross violation of the standard operating procedures, what is the meaning and worthiness of India being the largest democracy in the world ?", asked the Thadou bodies.

It further said that while women empowerment has been widely advocated in the country, Delhi Police and Manipur Rifles displayed their insolence towards Indian women particularly the tribal women by thrashing, kicking, slapping, molesting and detaining them in their custody.

Strongly censuring the brutality of the security force, Vahchin Haokip, President, Thadou Women Association said that Delhi Police and Manipur Rifles markedly displayed their rudeness over women.

She further said that on what grounds can women be arrested after dark and held for a full night in a police station/custody while demanding clarification from the authority concerned and justice towards the women victims and other peaceful protesters at the earliest.

"How can the Government react so brutally, inflicting injuries on its own children when we address our grievances considering it [the Governments] as our attentive parent", an emotional Vahchin asked while urging the Government to react immediately against the bossy and undemocratic security personnel who inflicted injuries on innocent and peaceful protesters in the capital city.

The Thadou bodies also lauded the Manipur Tribal Forum, Delhi (MTFD) leaders and protesters for their sacrifices and unflinching support in the effort to achieve the desired goal of the tribals while assuring to support it.

Meanwhile, Senapati DHQs also witnessed a similar shutdown for the day endorsing the 24 hrs total shutdown today.

Volunteers were reportedly deployed along the Trans Asian Highway No.1 at Mayangkhang, Senapati DHQs, Karong, Maram and Mao Gate.

Around 10 inter-State passenger buses and more than 30 loaded trucks were also reportedly stranded at Senapati DHQs while around 10 trucks were stranded at Hengbung Taxation Check post.

Heavy security has been deployed along the highway from Gamgiphai to Mao gate via Senapati DHQs during the total shutdown.

Stranded vehicles were seen moving along the highway from 5 pm.

No untoward incident has been reported till the time of filing this report.

The 24-hour total shutdown was also complete in Churachandpur with vehicles staying off the road and the township bearing no sign of activities.

The shutdown also affected the fourth estate, as the hill based journalists body, MHJU maintained that they are forced to declare a holiday as the JAC has not included press/media houses in the exempted list.

As such no newspaper from the hill areas will hit the stand tomorrow.

Though the town area was absolute in responding to the shutdown down call, vehicles were seen plying at Tuibuong area.

No untoward incident has been reported due to the shutdown.