Rally staged against bandhs, blockades
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 19 2016:
Legal fraternity of the State today staged a silent protest rally and organised a one day consultative programme to highlight the loss given to the general public by bandhs, blockades, general strikes and public curfews etc.
The rally cum consultative programme was jointly organised by All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA), High Court Bar Association, Manipur (HCBAM), senior Advocate members of Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) and others who are working in the field of legal affairs.
The rally which was flagged off from Cheirap Court complex passed through Kangla western gate and returned to Ima Keithel, where the consultative programme was conducted.
The rallyists held anti-bandh and blockade banners and placards.
The consultative programme was attended by RK Memcha, Member Secretary of MASLSA, H Chandrajit, Senior Advocate and President of AMBA, Kh Binoykumar Senior Advocate and President of HCBAM, senior Advocate Khaidem Mani and Advocate Th Modhu as presidium members.
Giving the key note address, RK Memcha said that they took up this initiative considering the hardships faced by the general public due to frequent bandhs, blockades, general strikes and public curfews etc.
Stating that these strikes cause huge loss of valuable time and money, she said that it has become important to spread awareness regarding the matter to the public.
Other presidium members also spoke at length on the inconvenience caused to the public especially poor people by bandhs, blockades and general strikes.
The consultative pro-gramme was screened live on a giant screen at Ima Keithel for public viewing.
Speaking at the occasion, senior Advocate Khaidem Mani observed that bandhs and blockades would bring no change to the society.
Communist and Socialist political parties used to clamp bandhs from dawn to dusk to achieve their demands in the past, he said.
However, these strikes have now become a day-to-day affair in the State as the Government has failed to penalize the bandh sponsors and supporters, Mani observed.
The senior Advocate also said that considering the current trend, there is the need to formulate anti-bandh regulations and form anti-bandh associations.
He also called on the public to collectively stand against bandhs and blockades.
H Chandrajit Sharma said that he had never heard that the organisations which impose bandhs achieve their demands.
Poor women vendors and street vendors are the most affected lot by bandhs and general strikes, he said and added the organisations concerned must approach the law Court instead of giving inconvenience to the public by calling bandhs.
However, Nation-wide bandhs which are imposed in the interest of the general public can't be avoided, he said.