KSO, Sadar Hills calls 24-hr bandh
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, May 03 2015 : The Kuki Students' Organization, Sadar Hills has called a 24-hour total bandh at Sadar Hills area from the midnight of May 6 over the Moidangpok incident and allotment of land for Cultural University at L Tangnaum village under Saitu-Gamphazol sub-division of Sadar Hills.

Thangminlen Kipgen, president of KSO, Sadar Hills speaking to media persons at Kangpokpi this evening alleged that the incident which occurred at Moidangpok village yesterday was the handiwork of New Keithelmanbi Development Association, wherein a van driver identified as Paokhongam Kipgen was severely beaten up and his vehicle torched.

The bandh would be followed by an indefinite economic blockade if the Government fails to come up with practical efforts in this regard within three days, Thangminlen Kipgen said.

He further alleged that after the Government clamped prohibitory order under 144 CrPC at Lalhoiphai village, the chief of Lalhoiphai village went to his village along with the order copy by hiring a van from Imphal while adding that police personnel of G-Sapormeina were already at the spot when the chief reached his village.

Few minutes later, Pradhan of Moidangpok GP, Gambhir Singh and Akhamdon of Keithelmanbi along with three unidentified persons came to Lalhoiphai village, said Thangminlen.

The duo had an altercation with the Lalhoiphai village chief, he added.

Thangminlen further said that as the village chief was suspicious of the intention of the duo, he left the village for Imphal in a hired auto rickshaw.

After some minutes, a police team of Patsoi and Thanglongbung police stations led by one ASI arrived at the village, said Thangminlen.

The police team told the van driver to go along with them as a huge number of violent people would arrive in the village soon.

However, when they reached Moidangpok a large number of people attacked the van and dragged down the driver and severely thrashed him in front of police, Thangminlen alleged.

A man from the mob even attacked the driver with a knife.

However he escaped, Thangminlen said.

He alleged that when the police intervened, the driver was almost dead.

Thangminlen expressed wonder how police could not protect even a single person from the clutches of a violent group of people.

In this regard, KSO Sadar Hills has demanded action against the police team and abolition of New Keithelmanbi Development Association by declaring it as an 'anti-people' body by the Government and action against the involved persons within three days.

Meanwhile, KSO Sadar Hills also vehemently decried the allotment of land for Cultural University at L Tangnaum village under Saitu-Gamphazol block of Sadar Hills.

Thangminlen Kipgen alleged that the land allotted for the Cultural University belongs to L Tangnaum village, which was earlier known as Haraothel under Saitu-Gamphazol sub-division in Sadar Hills.

People of Sadar Hills would never allow the Government to go ahead with its orders, he added.

He clarified that the picture, published in The Sangai Express, as a pastoral site of Koutruk village is the 'genuine' area of L Tangnaum village.

He also urged the media house concerned to clarify on the picture to avoid misunderstanding.

Considering all these matters, the KSO Sadar Hills has decided to call a 24-hour total bandh in Sadar Hills from the midnight of May 6 .

The bandh would be followed by an indefinite economic blockade if the Government fails to come up with practical efforts within three days, Thangminlen Kipgen said.

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