NSU standoff : Total shut down on Aug 8 announced
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, August 05 2017:
A day ahead of attaining 8 months, newly created Kangpokpi district is likely to experience the first ever collective stir after districthood, on August 7 and a total shutdown on its 8 months anniversary over the alleged controversial National Sports University at Koutruk in Imphal West .
Earlier, the civil society organizations of Kangpokpi district had commited to a bandh/agitation free district but come August 7, it will witness an intense form of agitation from 6 am if their demand over the National Sports University is not addressed positively within the stipulated time .
With the ultimatum due to expire tomorrow, the CSOs of Kangpokpi held a joint meeting today at Saitu-Gamphazol sub divisional HQs at Gamnom Sapormeina where it decided to go ahead with a peaceful but massive sit-in-protest on August 7 to be followed by a total shutdown on August 8 .
The joint meeting of the CSOs today at Gamnom-Sapormeina was hosted by Kuki Inpi, Kangpokpi district which also chaired the meeting and discussed the Sports varsity issue and course of agitation to be adopted .
Speaking to media persons, Lamminlun Singsit, general secretary, Kuki Inpi, Kangpokpi said that it has taken strong exception to the laid-back attitude of the State Government over the Sports University at Koutruk .
He continued that Kuki Students' Organization, Sadar Hills has been mandated to take up the National Sports University issue in collaboration with all civil society organizations of Kangpokpi district .
On behalf of the CSOs of Kangpokpi, Thangminlen Kipgen, president, KSO Sadar Hills said that in view of the lackadaisical attitude of the State Government towards the public concern and disagreement over the proposed NSU site, the course of agitation to be taken up was decided during a meeting of the CSOs .
He said that the CSOs had earlier placed an objection before the Chief Minister regarding allotment of 137.62 acres of Haraothel, now L Tangnaum village land under CS Dag No.1 of 47-Koutruk and demanded immediate ceasing of all ongoing construction works at the dispute site while inviting an amicable and peaceful solution .
The student leader continued that despite their sincere and calm appeal, the State Government displayed its lackadaisical attitude during the just concluded State Assembly proceedings, where Chief Minister N Biren Singh once again said that the selected NSU site is free of any dispute .
While stressing the discontentment of the CSOs of Kangpokpi with the State Government, Thangminlen Kipgen said that Chief Minister N Biren Singh should admit that no rule of law was followed in passing the allotment order under No 21/167/2016-R, dated 28th December, 2016 .
'The State Government must go for land demarcation and acquisition before such allotment is made", he asserted .
Thangminlen Kipgen also said that the joint meeting of CSOs Kangpokpi has decided to begin agitation in the form of peaceful but massive sit-in- protest from 6 am of August 7 which is to be followed by a total shutdown on August 8 .
Emergency services, including medical, media fraternity, religious ceremony, electricity, water supply, etc.
will be exempted from the purview of the 24 hours total shutdown on August 8 .
The CSOs Kangpokpi urged the State Government to pay due attention to their proposed peaceful stir to avert other means of agitation which could be aggressive and volatile.