Sadar hills mark I-Day with protests
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 16 2011:
Various form of protest demonstration over the district demand marked the Independence Day celebration in Sadar Hills.
While the celebrations were being held at Imphal and other district headquarters of the State yesterday, sit-in-protest demonstrations, mass prayers, hunger strikes, etc were witnessed in different parts of Sadar Hills.
Extending support to the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee, thousands of people participated in these protest demonstrations which were witnessed right from Gamgiphai to Kangpokpi.
Near the bridge of Kangpokpi as well as at Kangpokpi Bazar, hundreds of womenfolk who were attired in black dresses carried out sit-in-protest and shouted slogan 'We demand Sadar Hills district' in unison.
At Kangpokpi Bazar, Pastor K Hangsing also led a mass prayer session.
At Keithelmanbi too, a large number of people including men and women demonstrated to press the demand for upgradation of Sadar Hills to a full-fledged district.
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Speaking to media-persons at the occasion, one Ningboi Lhouvum, a woman leader, said, "For the last 40 years, we have been pursuing just one demand, that is upgradation of Sadar Hills to a full-fledged district" .
In the past, we womenfolk mostly stayed away from participating in the agitations over Sadar Hills district demand.
But this time, we have decided to lead the agitation.
We would also like to celebrate Independence Day for Sadar Hills district'', she added.
Around 40 womenfolk have also launched fast unto death at Motbung, Sapermeina and Kangpokpi.
At Sapermeina Bazar yesterday, hundreds of womenfolk demonstrated demand district status for Sadar Hills.
One Vahchin Haokip, who led the demonstration, asserted that conversion of Sadar Hills into a full-fledged revenue district is the aspiration of all the communities settling in the area.
''Instead of granting our demand, the efforts being made by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and his Council of Ministers to deploy security forces for allowing passage of vehicles would invite more intense agitation'', she warned, adding, ''The Government should understand that we are ready to face any consequences'' .
''How many lives does the Chief Minister wants us to sacrifice and how much blood he wants us to shed before fulfilment of our demand ?'', Vahchin Haokip questioned.