AZSU calls Zeliangrong bandh from April 17 against 'high handed AR'
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, April 08 2011:
A 48-hour bandh effective from midnight of April 17 till midnight of April 19, has been called in Zeliangrong inhabited areas of the state.
The All Zeliangrong Students' Union (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) has called the bandh to pressurize the Centre to fulfill its charter of demands.
The charter of demands include the immediate withdrawal of AFSPA-1958 from the NE region, immediate transfer of 11 AR from Zeliangrong inhabited areas, removal of all Indian Army check posts/gates on highways & district highways and befitting punitive action against the "high handed" Colonel Chhonkar of 11 AR.
The bandh will cover both national and international projects including railways.
However, relaxations will be given to the medical services, electricity, religious functions and water supply, a statement issued by the publicity wing of the AZSU said.
Any untoward incident arising out of defying the bandh would be the responsibility of the defaulter.
In the statement, AZSU said that the bandh has been called to protest the failure on the part of the Central government to address their complaint, in the form of a memorandum, submitted to the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister against the "high handedness" of the 11 AR at Tamenglong HQs and other security forces in Zeliangrong inhabited areas of Manipur.
The body alleged that Zeliangrong people in particular and Nagas in general have been victimized by the security forces for the past more than 60 years in the name of controlling law and order under AFSPA and queried "what was the relevance of AFSPA when the entire Naga areas have been covered by the "Indo-Naga" peace process" .
"Why should 11 AR under Col.Chonkar try to disrupt such a time valued peace process between Government of India and the Nagas?" the AZSU went on to ask.
The statement appealed to the public and all authorities concerned to extend cooperation to make the 48 hours total bandh a success.