Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Senapati, September 22:
The indefinite economic blockade imposed along the National Highway 39 by the Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA) since August 30 has been called off with effect from 7 pm today following an apology tendered by the commandant of 4th IRB to SDSA today.
Mention may be made that in between the agitation, the SDSA had relaxed its protest for five days as the state government urged the student body to give some time for investigation but since nothing concrete came out, the SDSA re-imposed the blockade along the highway.
The SDSA has been agitating to condemn assault of innocent persons at Senapati on the night of August 29 by personnel of IRB escorting oil tankers.
It was alleged that the IRB personnel had assaulted the persons for pelting stones at transporters/escort party.
However, the SDSA had denied anyone carrying out such activities on the said night in Senapati.
According to reports received from SDSA, the commandant of the 4th IRB tendered an official apology to the students' body.
Following the development, series of consultations among the SDSA executives took place after which a decision was taken to call-off the economic blockade from tonight.
The SDSA also added that there was a request from Tribal Development minister DD Thaisii to the SDSA to call-off the agitation which was also another factor that has made easier for the students' body to take the decision.
Meanwhile, the SDSA cautioned the state government that in future such acts are meted out to the innocent public in future, the students' body would not consider any appeasement steps of the state government.