Highway bandh
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 12 2016 :
The indefinite Imphal-Jiribam highway bandh called against the arrest of three church functionaries of Namthanjang village came into effect this midnight.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here this afternoon, JAC convenor Lungthuilung Riamei said that there was no question of calling off the bandh as there has been no positive response from the Government.
He then appealed to civil society organisations and the general public to support the agitation.
The indefinite bandh was announced by the JAC chairman Thangonglung Kamei on March 10 and he also made it clear that power, water supply, religious functions, medical services, examinations and media would not be covered by the bandh.
Treasurer of Namthanjang Rongmei village church Gaikhamlung Gangmei (42), deacon Geihempou Kamei (50) and secretary Namthang-lung Riamei (40) were arres- ted by a team of Sapermeina police station at around 7 am of March 8 on fabricated charges but police claimed that they were arrested at around noon of March 9 .
Saying that their arrest enraged the villagers, the convenor asked police where did they keep the three church functionaries before they were produced before Court.
Moreover, none of the three arrested persons are listed in the FIR registered at Sapermeina police station.
Lungthuilung also decried alleged intimidation by the Zeliangrong Union which asked the JAC to call off the highway bandh.
He then questioned the discriminatory attitude of the Zeliangrong Union.