Chandel affected
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, July 08 2013:
Normal life was affected in Kuki inhabited areas in Chandel district on the first day of the 48-hour bandh called by the Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) .
During the bandh, no vehicles were seen plying on the section of National Highway 2 (Imphal Moreh road) as the bandh supporters blocked the road by piling up woods and boulders along the road.
At Tengnoupal, the bandh was enforced by KSDC Tengnoupal Block and the supporters including women came out to the street holding banner and raising slogan "We demand Kuki State" , While briefing media persons at Tengnoupal, Lhangsum T Mate, Secretary KSDC Tengnoupal Block said that as a citizen of India it is our right to demand Kuki State.
The Kuki people and their rights were suppressed by the Indian Government since independence.
Even today, the State and Central Government were not sincere enough for holding political dialogue with the Kuki undergrounds after signing of Suspension of Operation (SoO) for more than 8 years, he lamented.
'So, the Governments both the State and Centre should initiated political dialogue with the Kuki UGs considering the aspiration of the Kuki People who were suppressed and downtrodened' he added.
It may be mentioned that KSDC called 48 hrs total bandh from today which will be followed by economic blockade from July 10 -11 .