UNC's 48 hr bandh comes into force : Tribe Hohos, CSOs to back stir
Source: The Sangai Express
Senapati, October 22 2015:
With the proposed 48 hr total bandh called by the United Naga Council (UNC) already set in motion since last midnight in the hill districts of Manipur, the tribe Hohos and civil bodies will join the agitation by enforcing the said bandh in their respective areas.
As per the directives of the UNC to all tribe Hohos and civil bodies, tribe leaders have decided to enforce the said bandh in Senapati district, informed an NPO source.
The Naga People's Organization (NPO) and Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA) along with people from Mao, Poumai, Thangal, Maram and Zeliangrong communities are set to impose the bandh effectively in different areas of the district.
A day before the bandh came into force, many inter-State buses, commercial vehicles, trucks and private vehicles were seen rushing off before the said bandh came into force.
According to NPO sources, tribe Hohos will impose the bandh in different areas whereas the NPO and SDSA will strictly monitor the DHQs areas.
The total bandh will largely affect business establishments, Govern- ment offices, banks, movement of private and commercial vehicular movements.
However, the UNC informed that, PHED, electricity, medical, religious ceremony, funeral programme and educational institutions will be exempted from the purview of the bandh.
Earlier on October 20, 2015, the United Naga Council (UNC) had announced its decision to impose the 48 hour bandh in "all the tribal districts" of Manipur from midnight of October 22 in protest against the 'anti-tribal rules, acts, notifications and against the three infamous anti-tribal Bills and the two resolutions passed on August 31, 2015 by the Manipur Legislative Assembly' .
Again on October 21, the UNC issued a 'directive' to the general public and the tribe Hohos to strictly impose the said bandh.
The said directive asked the tribe presidents, Naga and tribal frontal organisations, district and regional organisations to take up appropriate measures to ensure that the 48 hour total bandh beginning from midnight of October 22 is strictly observed in their respective jurisdiction.
Further, all concerned have been advised to stay alert with all preparedness against any forces of anti-social elements and State sponsored terrorism that may attempt to sabotage the peaceful and democratic peoples movement.
Anyone found defying the directive shall be treated as anti Naga and anti tribals and shall be at his/her own risk.
The UNC appealed to all the Naga and tribal people to extend their support and co-operation for the success of the bandh and also to unitedly fight till the long cherished political aspiration is achieved.