Shiv Sena calls SAPO agitation uncivilised act
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 29 2022:
While terming the imposition of economic blockade along the national highway (Imphal-Dimapur Road) by Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) to stop Manipur bound goods trucks as an uncivilized act; Shiv Sena Manipur president M Tombi has urged the people of Manipur to make it known to all concerned that the entire population of the state is against the ongoing blockade.
Addressing a press meet at the party's office, Babupura here on Tuesday, Tombi urged for letting it known that the people of Manipur are against the blockade imposed by SAPO, instead of relying solely upon the state government to do the needful for ending the blockade.
The national highways are not state property and every Indian citizen has the right to move freely.
He then condemned SAPO's greed towards other's land and the act of grabbing it by force by cutting off the lifeline to Manipur, as a huge human rights violation.
On the other hand, it is equally unfortunate to have the centre turn a blind eye to the situation even after a week has passed.
If no action is taken at the earliest, the party will take up the issue in the parliament, he stated.
Tombi then mentioned that Assam has already called a counter blockade against SAPO's blockade.
The CM has made a firm stand on the matter which is laudable, including making alternate arrangements along Jiribam route.
However, this is still a huge inconvenience to the people.
He continued: "SAPO's demand for removal of the IRB post, which is being set up in Manipur's own territory, is highly unreasonable and simply, a case of creating an issue out of nothing.
Despite Manipur losing land area on Myanmar side, it (Manipur) has not made any claim over Nagaland's territory.
The issue should be on why the state is losing land and this serious matter is being neglected constantly".
Urging the government to repair Imphal-Jiri route, Tombi also demanded deployment of a Highway Protection Force to crack down on such illegal activities.
He then urged the people to take up the responsibility instead of pushing it all onto the government.