KAJAC calls indefinite highway bandh
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 29 2021:
Accusing the Government of grabbing tribal land for construction of the National Sports University, the Konsakhul Area Joint Action Committee (KAJAC) has called an indefinite total bandh along the National and State Highways from January 31 midnight.
All National projects in Naga areas will also be stopped, the committee said in a statement today.
The proposed bandh is in response to the Government's "arrogance and indifferent attitude towards the hill people", it said accusing the State of "suppressing the rights of the landowner and grabbing tribal land forcefully for construction of the National Sports University (NSU) complex" .
In the statement, KAJAC also strongly condemned the "use of sophisticated weapons against the peaceful protesters today" and demanded immediate suspension of the officer in-charge of the security personnel for allegedly firing live bullets against the protesters.
Failing to take actions against the officer will result in KAJAC intensifying its agitation, said the statement.
KAJAC had tried its best to resolve the NSU imbroglio in a peaceful and democratic way by conveying their grievances through memorandum, representations, petitions etc, but the Government of Manipur has failed to respond to their calls to resolve the issue amicably, it said.
The Government should stop "grabbing tribal land forcefully" for construction of the National Sports University and "acknowledge the lawful traditional landowner ie, Konsakhul village (Konsaram) under Senapati district as primary stakeholder", it said.
The indefinite bandh from January 31 midnight will not affect essential services including medical emergency, fire brigade, media, power, water supply and telecommunication, said KAJAC.