Gaikhangam & team blockaded
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 16 2011:
MPCC president Gaikhangam, Hill Areas Committee Vice Chairman Khangthuanang Panmei, MLA K Govindas and ADC Tamenglong Chairman G Soihem Haomei have been virtually kept under siege after their way was blockaded by felling trees on their way from Khoupum to Imphal.
Gaikhangam and his team went to Gaidimyang, adjacent to his native village Khoupum this morning to take part in a training programme on flagship programmes of UPA and SPF Governments.
After the programme, the team was returning to Imphal when their way was blockaded by felling trees by around 20/30 armed men suspected to be cadres of Zeliangrong United Front at Touringpung, about 4 kms from Khoupum at around 3.40 pm.
Some supporters of Gaikhangam were travelling in a vehicle in advance ahead of the convoy and they saw the trees being put across the road.
They also saw armed cadres taking position with rocket launchers in the middle of the road.
The security escorts, following behind saw the scene and they too took positions some distance away.
But there was no skirmish.
On learning about the face-off, villagers came out and talked with the blockaders but the negotiation could not come to any understanding.
Subsequently, Gaikhangam and his team went back to his home at Khoupum and they are putting up the night there.
The MPCC president and his team were travelling in two bullet-proof Tata Safari together with adequate security escorts and were accompanied by a team of media persons.
The matter has been reported to the Union Home Ministry.