Senapati bandh to protest against the alleged deduction of MGNREGS funds
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 16, 2012:
As decided and proposed on August 3 in its general body meeting held at Senapati, the Senapati District Village Chairmen/Secretaries Association beginning from August 15, midnight imposed its 48hrs total bandh through out the District.
No vehicular movement was seen since morning except for those exempted services and transportations of students.
To protest against the alleged deduction and diversion of 25 per cent of MGNREGS funds from village shares by ADC Members and line departments, the said agitation was implemented by a JAC formed under the association.
Volunteers were seen deployed in different spots along the NH-2 to effectively en-force the bandh.
The Sadar Hills JAC on MGNREGS has also earlier on August 8, extended its support to the agitation if the decision to divert 25 per cent to the ADC and another 25 per cent to the line department is not revoked immediately.
Till the time of filing this report, Senapati Police and 4th IRB have safely escorted some private and inter-state buses from Mao-gate towards Imphal.
However, amidst CRFP security cover, the front glasses of more than 40 oil tankers were damaged by suspected bandh supporters.
Policemen, VDF, women security force and officers were seen deployed along the NH-2 especially in district headquarters and sensitive areas of Mao and Maram.
The bandh would conclude on midnight of August 17. In the district headquarters, schools and transportation of students were relaxed for two hours in the morning and afternoon.
Fire services, medical, military, water supply, religious programmes were all exempted from the preview of the bandh.
According to sources, the association has also briefed its protest agenda to the Deputy Commissioner yesterday who responding by giving assurance to discuss the matter at the earliest with the RD Minster.
It may be recalled that, the association has expressed its protest against the deduction and diversions of 25 per cent of the flagship programme by ADC members.
A JAC was formed on June 25 and it decided to pursue the matter for immediate release of the deducted funds to those villages under Tadubi and Purul blocks.
On August 6, Senapati ADC Chairman Henry Hilii has clarified the stance of ADC members not to divert the funds and that its members were ready to co-operate with the public.
The association has also reportedly submitted a memorandum to RD&PR Minister sometime back to protest against the diversion of the 25 per cent of MGNREGS funds.