Economic blockade comes into force
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, June 10 2016 : The 10-days economic blockade on all National Highways passing through the tribal territories of Manipur and a ban on all ongoing National projects in the tribal areas imposed by several tribal bodies under the aegis of JAC against Anti-Tribal Bills began yesterday midnight.

The decision to launch the agitation which will culminate on June 19 midnight was taken in a joint meeting of Joint Action Committee Against Anti-Tribal Bills (JAC) with the Outer Manipur Tribals' Forum (OMTF), a tribal apex body of the Hmar Inpui, Mizo People Convention, Thadou Inpi, United Naga Council and Zomi Council at Imphal.

National Highway-2 along Imphal-Dimapur road witnessed no movement of goods trucks along the road today with the enforcement of the stir by the Thadou bodies in Sadar Hills and the UNC in Senapati district.

However, few empty trucks and oil tankers were seen moving towards Dimapur side in the morning and afternoon along the highway.

One Thadou body leader said that outgoing of empty vehicles from the State is not restricted but the incoming of loaded vehicles will be strictly maintained by deploying volunteers at various strategic points along National Highway-2 within Sadar Hills.

He also warned that any loaded vehicles passing the highway defying the blockade will be responsible for any eventuality while urging the transporters and the authority concerned not to defy the blockade by any means.

There is no report of any loaded vehicles stranded at Mao Gate, Senapati and Hengbung Taxation check post so far.

The agitation was imposed by the tribal bodies in protest against the alleged prolonged ill treatment of the tribal people that has recently been highlighted through the three 'anti-tribal' Bills passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31, 2015 .

The tribal bodies also reiterated that the tribal people will not settle for anything less than a permanent and sustainable solution and shall continue the fight for tribal identity and land rights till a solution that is acceptable to the tribal people is reached.

Meanwhile, in connection with economic blockade, Kangpokpi Town Committee held a joint meeting with all businessmen in the town and instructed them not to increase prices of commodities in the town due to the ongoing economic blockade.

The town committee also appealed the public to inform the authority if they happen to come across any shopkeeper in the town increasing prices of commodities during the economic blockade.

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