ITLF withdraws indefinite shutdown
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 03 2023:
Churachandpur-based Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), a major Kuki organisation, on Tuesday withdrew the indefinite shutdown it called two days ago in Churachandpur district to protest against the arrests made by the CBI and NIA in connection with the killing of two Meetei students and another case.
Initially declared as agitation for an indefinite period to denounce the arrest of seven Kuki-Zo people, including two minors, the ITLF decided to conclude to shutdown with effect from 6 pm of Tuesday.
In a release, ITLF media and publicity Ginza Vualzong said it will continue to monitor the situation and issue a public notice if intense agitation is required.
The release further informed that ITLF Women Wing's weekly 'dharna' will be cancelled on October 4 considering the continuous two-day shutdown but will be resumed as usual from next week.
The ITLF said it will monitor the situation and decide later if another "intense agitation" is needed.
Four people were arrested by CBI in connection with the killing of 20-year-old Phijam Hemanjit and Hijam Linthoingambi, a 17-year-old girl - who had gone missing on July 6 .
Massive outcry and violent demonstration erupted in Imphal Valley after photos of their bodies surfaced on September 25 .
The arrested persons have been taken to Guwahati.
Two minor daughters of the main accused were handed over to the district child protection officer of Assam's Kamrup Metro district.
The NIA on Saturday also arrested one person from Churachandpur in connection with a case of "transnational conspiracy" by Myanmar and Bangladesh-based leadership of terror outfits to wage war against India by exploiting the current ethnic strife in Manipur.