48 hr hill bandh comes into force
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, October 18 2015:
The 48 hr total bandh called by the Joint Action Committee Against the Killing of Khupneilal Neihsiel and Robert Hesei Kipgen in the hill districts of the State has come into force from midnight.
The JAC has imposed the 48 hr total bandh to show discontentment and dissatisfaction over the delay in furnishing the magisterial probe report pertaining to the Kadangband killings by the Government within the stipulated three months time even now.
The Trans Asian Highway No.1, the main lifeline of the State is likely to be affected massively as projected in every bandh and blockade since it has become the main targeted highway by bandh/blockade supporters in the State.
According to a reliable source of the JAC, all Government institutions, business establishments, and vehicular movement in the hill districts will be completely brought to a halt during the total bandh while educational institutions will be exempted from the purview of the bandh apart.
Medical, water, power, religious ceremonies and the media will also be exempted from the purview of the bandh.
Speaking to media persons this evening at Kangpokpi, JAC Convener Thangminlen Haokip said that they are extremely discontented over the delay in tabling the magisterial probe report in the alleged encounter between KNF and personnel of 8 AR on January 28 at Kadangband.
He continued that the State Government had assured to table the magisterial probe report within three months after it (State Government) constituted a magisterial inquiry vide order No.20/1(13)/2013-H(LC)/p, dated 31st January, 2015 .
He further said failure of the State Government to table the report despite giving repeated assurances ever after 8 months has aroused suspicion and apprehension among the people that the Government is trying to protect the guilty personnel involved in the killing.
Therefore, the JAC and the Kuki civil bodies have taken strong exception and consider it as violation of human rights and denial of justice to the people, asserted Thangminlen Haokip.
The people have placed their trust in the Government to establish the veracity of the truth since the fact that it was a fake encounter killing is very much evident, the JAC convener further said.
The JAC also appealed to all State and inter-State transporters, businesspersons, and Government employees to respect the bandh and abstain from any act of defiance.
It also urged the people to extend support to the 48 hr bandh saying that the repeated human rights violation by the Assam Rifles of which every person in the State irrespective of tribe and community is a victim in one way or the other.
In showing solidarity with the JAC, various Kuki CSOs including Kuki Inpi, Manipur and KSO GHQs have expressed support to the JAC and assured to cooperate the 48 hr bandh in the hill districts of the State.
A reliable source said that if the State Government fails to respond positively after the 48 hour bandh, the JAC will hold a joint meeting with Kuki CSOs for further agitation in which economic blockade is possible.
Meanwhile the Kuki Students' Organisation, Ghqs and KSO, Churachandpur have extended support to the the 48 bandh.
The KSO Ghqs and its units will cooperate and back the JAC on the Kadangband killings during the 48 hr bandh in the hill districts of the State affirmed Seiboi Haokip, general secretary, KSO Ghqs.
He continued that all vehicular movement, business establishments, and Government institutions will be shut down for 48 hrs in the entire hill districts and added that KSO units in the hills districts will keep an eye on any violators of the bandh.
However, educational institutions, medical, power, water, religious ceremonial and media will be exempted from the purview of the bandh.
During the said bandh all vehiculer movement, business establishments and Goverment istitutions will be shut down.
However, educational institutions, medical, water supply,power, media, religious ceremonies and vehicles ferrying students will be relaxed from the purview of the bandh.
On the other hand KSO Churachandpur has also appealed to the general public of Churachandpur to co-operate, support the bandh and lend a helping hand to the volunteers if the need arises.
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