Zeliangrong bodies threaten to ban railway construction work
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, October 22 2013:
Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF), All Zeliangrong Student's Union (AZSU) and Zeliangrong Student's Union, Manipur (ZSUM) have warned of banning the railway constriction works in Manipur, banning the movement of goods trucks along the National Highway-37 among others if their demands are not met within a week's time.
The demands of these three organisations are related to various issues pertaining to people of Tamenglong district and its land.
In a memorandum submitted to the chief minister of Manipur mentioned six-point-charter-of-demand which was the reiteration of numerous earlier memorandums and newspaper publications.
The demands include the erection of border pillars at the boundary of Tamenglong district at Phaitol, Kamranga and Khedagor bordering with Jiribam.
One demand is that Jiribam police personnel be replaced by Tamenglong district police personnel at the police Out Post located at Tatbung and name the police Out Post as Tatbung Police Out Post, Tousem Sub-Division, Tamenglong district, Manipur instead of Jiribam Police Out Post, Imphal East district.
They also demanded the removal of IRB training centre from any part of Tamenglong district.
The remaining demands are related to people killed in accidents along the NH-37.AZSU, ZYF and ZSUM demanded that trucks involved in the accidents be identified and pay necessary compensation or ex-gratia to the injured persons or deceased family by the government as per relevant provisions and rules.
Citing the Rengpang incident of December 23, 2011, the three organisations said one Mrs.Peijanglungliu Gangmei was hit by heavy Tata trucks.
She remained confined in her house after the incident.
Regarding the Taobam (Irang) incident, one Mrs.Lungnuliu @ Lungnumei was run over a truck and died instantly.
In Shangrung (Khongshang) incident of July 20, 2012 five people had died and seven others were severely injured when a Sumo Tata tried to escape the speeding and reckless driving of a heavy Tata truck hitting the vehicle.
Regarding the Longmai (Noney) bazaar incident of August 3, 2013 one Mr.Benjamin Gonmei, assistant teacher serving under Tamenglong Autonomous District Council died instantly when a speeding Tata truck hit the motor cycle from behind in which he was riding on pillion.
AZSU, ZYF and ZSUM then demanded for the immediate suspension of security personnel who were escorting the Tata trucks for the above mentioned days and dates for negligence of duty and responsibility and for failing to honour and protect the lives of people and evacuate the victims to safer places and also for failing to report the matter to the higher authorities.
They further demanded from the government to give strong direction to army and paramilitary forces operating in Zeliangrong areas to stop harassment, illegal detention, captive in custody beyond permitted time frame without lodging FIR, physical torture, heaping and leveling baseless and unfounded charges without verification from the concern police station after arrest of any innocent public.
"Failing to initiate steps for negotiation and bring solution within one week's time by the State government will be considered and presumed that the latter is not interested in solving the issues, rather it is interested in subjugation and suppression.
Therefore, having no option left, the people may resort to intense form of democratic agitation such as total ban of trucks plying on National Highway-37, ban on the ongoing central projects such as railway line construction works, power grid works, BRTF etc.
to register objection against the State government's anti people approach," threatened the AZSU, ZYF and ZSUM.