In solidarity with Chandel district bandh...UCM announces 12 hour general strike
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 03 2015:
Extending solidarity to the indefinite bandh being imposed by the JAC Against the Atrocities of Central Security Forces in Chandel district, the United Committee Manipur (UCM) has called a 12 hour State-wide general strike with effect from 5 am of Wednesday.
Speaking to media persons at their Lamphelpat office today, UCM president Yumnam Nabachandra remarked that the JAC's decision was justified and deserved support of all sections of the society.
Harassment of civilians by security forces cannot be confined to Tengnoupal block or Chandel district alone.
All the people travelling along Imphal-Moreh highway have been enduring all kinds of excesses committed by AR troops.
Referring to media reports about troops of 24 AR posted at Tengnoupal detaining expecting mothers who were on their way to hospital/health centres for urgent medical attention, Nabachandra asserted that it was a clear case of the paramilitary force going to the extreme when it comes to human rights violation even though they are here purportedly to assist civil administration.
At the same time, Assam Rifles have been scheming to create multiple layers of division among the people of Manipur by using the most inappropriate slogan 'Friends of Hill People', Nabachandra alleged.
In protest against all such malicious and inhuman conduct of Central security forces, particularly Assam Rifles, UCM decided to call a State-wide general strike from 5 am to 5 pm tomorrow.
Education, religious services and all other essential services would be exempted from the purview of the general strike.
Notably, KSO Tengnoupal, Kuki Women Union for Human Rights Organisation and Tengnoupal Village Authority imposed an indefinite bandh on Imphal-Moreh highway since January 30 .
They have been demanding complete shifting of 24 AR from Tengnoupal together with the CO.
A joint meeting of several civil society organisations was held yesterday at Tengnoupal and a JAC was formed.
The JAC immediately decided to enforce the bandh more stringently and bring the whole district of Chandel under the purview of the ongoing public agitation.