ATCF appeals
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 02 2015 :
Asserting that the Govt should be held accountable for the unfortunate incident that broke out at Gwaltabi during the April 30 bandh, the All Tribal Chiefs' Forum (ATCF) Manipur has urged all concerned not to give communal tinge to the incident.
Addressing a press meet today, Tongpu Kipgen, president, ATCF while expressing regret that the democratic agitation turned violent, said that the bandh was imposed to protest the alleged adamant attitude of the Govt to its demand for proper utilization of MGNREGS fund in the State.
He said that the bandh was not called in the interest of a particular community or for the tribal alone.
But it was for all job card holders of the State including those in the valley areas.
He urged all concerned not to construe the incident on communal line.
Tongpu further said that around 20 houses were damaged by the mob on the day due to rumours.
He also alleged that media reports on the incident was one-sided.
The ATCF president further appealed to the Youth Progressive Club of Gwaltabi to lift the indefinite bandh along the Imphal-Ukhrul road.
Further, the ATCF urged the Govt to fulfil its demand and solve the matter amicably.
According to a press release issued by the forum, the trouble started when two vehicles defied the bandh which were vandalized by a group of bandh supporters.
As the bandh hours came to an end, owners of the two damaged vehicles came back along with a group of people and attacked the bandh supporters resulting in injuries to nine people.
Out of them, seven were taken to Mayophung police station for protection but villagers thought they went missing.
This led to rumours and a mob soon gathered and they attacked Gwaltabi.