UNC shut down call affects normal life in hills
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Senapati/Chandel, January 23 2014 :
The four hill districts, Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel and Tamenglong were severely affected by the 12-hour shut down call given by United Naga Council (UNC) today.
The bandh which began from 6 am was called in protest against the recent statement of Shambhu Singh, Joint Secretary of Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) warning UNC over its agitational programme of banning ongoing construction of national projects in Manipur.
The UNC actually planned to hold a mass peaceful rally today in protest against non-resumption of the 'tripartite talks' on its demand for 'alternative arrangement' in Manipur for the Nagas, but Shambhu's statement had added fuel to the fire, and UNC replaced the proposed mass peaceful rally with the shut down.
Meanwhile, reports coming from the four hill district headquarters said that all business establishments, educational institutions and other establishments did not function today on account of the shut down call given by UNC.
All modes of transport also halted their services today.
Government offices were open but attendance was thin in these four districts.
However, there was no report of any untoward incidents.
Chandel correspondent adds: The district headquarters town of Chandel was hit by the 12-hour total shut down call given by United Naga Council (UNC) from 6 am to 6 pm today.
All the shops, market places, Govt offices, schools and college in the district headquarters remained closed for the day.
Passenger buses and Tata sumo service plying between Chandel and Chakpikarong and to Imphal from the district headquarters also remained stayed off the roads as bandh supporters blocked the road near St Paul high School at Pallel.
Private vehicles plying through NH 2 along Imphal-Moreh road were disrupted as bandh supporters put up barricade near Thamlapokpi village.
However, there is no report of any untoward incidents during the shut down.