Bandh against abduction of Irabanta begins
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 20 2012:
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the disappearance of Irungbam Irabanta has called a 60-hour Manipur bandh with effect from 5 am tomorrow (July 21) .
Irabanta is alleged to have been abducted by NSCN-IM on May 27 last, but the Naga rebel group has refuted involvement in the abduction.
Announcing the bandh during a press meet today, Hidam Shila, Convener of the JAC informed that Irabanta went missing since May 27 after he went to Ukhrul to meet the NSCN-IM functionaries.
He was abducted by NSCN-IM cadres and his whereabouts still remain unknown.
H Shila appealed to NSCN (IM) to make known the faults of Irabanta, if he had committed any mistake, and give him the opportunity to clarify before the public.
She also urged for release Irabanta at the earliest on humanitarian ground.
The JAC has also appealed to all the Clubs, Organisations and Meira Paibis to support the bandh.
Irabanta is a contractor who supplies stones and sand for construction of Maphou Dam.
The JAC alleged that Irabanta, 38, had gone out with one MK Winner in a Maruti Gypsy on May 27 to Ukhrul district.
MK Winner is said to be a man maintaining good rapport with NSCN-IM, according to the JAC.