Support mounts for 7 day economic blockade on NH 39 and NH 53
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, July 30 2011:
In an attempt to mobilize wide public support for the proposed week-long economic blockade to be imposed on NH 39 and NH 53 from midnight July 31, demanding for the declaration of Sadar Hill sub-division into a full fledged revenue district, public meetings were convened at various places in the sub-division under the aegis of Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) Saturday.
Representatives of village chiefs, youth and women organizations from Motbung, Sapermaina, Leikot, Saitu etc.
gathered together this morning at a public meeting at Motbung in Sadar Hills sub-division in a show of solidarity and support for the economic blockade.
A resolution was adopted by the participants expressing full support and cooperation in enforcing the economic blockade imposed on the two lifelines of the state beginning midnight July 31 .
They also issued a declaration that until the demand for the declaration of Sadar Hills into a full fledged revenue district is conceded to, they will stand united in its pursuit.
A similar meeting was held around 11 am at New Keithelmanbi, along National Highway 53, in which representatives of about 50 villages, besides Kuki Students' Organization (KSO), the apex Kuki civil body Kuki Inpi and women's organizations, called for unity and support for the economic blockade.
A 12-member sub-committee has been formed following the meeting at New Keithelmanbi to oversee and enforce the blockade on NH 53 .
Yet another public meeting today at Keithelmanbi, located along National Highway 39, drew widespread support for the blockade from various Kuki civil society organizations of the area.
Before the 7-day economic blockade kicks off midnight tomorrow, public meetings would be held at Kangpokpi and Gamgiphai tomorrow as a last ditch effort to raise awareness and mobilize support for the blockade, said SHDDC president Tonghen Kipgen.
SHDDC has announced to impose economic blockade on NHs 39 and 53 tentatively for seven days beginning midnight July 31 to press for the declaration of Sadar Hills as a full fledged revenue district, with the prospect of extending the blockade further if its demand is not met by the state government by the August 7 deadline.
Transportation and movement of all essential commodities along NHs 39 and 53 have also been brought under the purview of the blockade.