Road block, sit-ins, rally mark shutdown call
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 04 2021:
The 24-hour shutdown called by the 'JAC against the murder of Athuan Abonmai' disrupted normal life across the state.
Supporters of the shutdown blocked roads, staged sit-in demonstrations, took out rally and lighted candles at night demanding justice to Abonmai, who was found murdered after being abducted from near a programme venue attended by Chief Minister N Biren at Tamenglong district headquarters on September 22 .
The shutdown call was endorsed by several students and civil society organisations.
Markets and shops were closed and roads remained deserted except for emergency services including electricity, health and water services and religious rituals.
People staged sit-in protest at different parts of Thangmeiband and the shutdown was fully supported under the jurisdiction of Thangmeiband United Club.
Roads were blocked in front of DM University gate and a rally condemning the murder of Athuan Abonmai and demanding to flush out NSCN-IM from Manipur was taken out.
Later in the evening, Thangmeiband United Club organised a rally from DM university campus with denizens of Thangmeiband Hijam Leikai, Lourungpurel Leikai, Yumnam Leikai, Sinam Leikai, Kabrabam Leikai and Meisnam Leikai including family members of the deceased Athuan Abonmai taking part in it.
After the protesters marched along the Thangmeiband road, a candle light vigil demanding justice to Athuan Abonmai was held in front of DM University gate as well as at the gate of the deceased's Grace Colony residence.
Members of Uripok Apunba Lup also blocked the Uripok Kangchup, Uripok canteen and foot of BT flyover.
There were confrontations between bandh supporters and police in some areas.
In the evening, candles were lighted condemning the murder of Abonmai.
Volunteers of AMSU, MSF, KSA and DESAM staged protest at several areas of Thoubal and raised slogans demanding arrest of the murderers of Athuan Abonmai and declaring NSCN-IM as a terrorist organisation.
The shutdown was also total in Jiribam and Kakching district with markets, shops and even government and private offices remaining closed.
In a bid to prevent unwanted incidents during the shutdown, Jiri police took up stringent security measures.
There were no reports of any untoward incidents till the time of filing this report.
Though vehicles carrying goods were not seen plying on the NH37 (Imphal-Jiribam) and Tamenglong-Khongsang road because of the shutdown, shops and offices in Tamenglong were opened like normal days.
CPI Manipur State Council supported the shutdown called by the JAC against the murder of Abonmai in several areas of Khurai AC.
AMSU volunteers enforced the shutdown in several areas of Mayang Iniphal, Irilbung, Keishamthong, Karong Mayai Lambi, Yairipok Keithel and Kongba road.
Moreover, All Phumlou Meira Paibi supported the shutdown called by the JAC by blocking Phumlou road.
In support of the shutdown, Meira Paibi and youth of Thangmeiband Sinam Mamang Leikai staged a sit-in protest at Leishemba Club, while Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai Nupi Marup staged a similar protest demonstration at Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai Khongnangkhong and locals of Tarung at Grace Colony.
Similar sit-in protests were also staged at Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai, near Kendra Vidyalaya, Lamphelpat anu Neikanlong.
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