NH-37, Tongjei Maril bandh affects normal life
Source: Chronicle News Service

Noney/Bishnupur, August 05 2024: Owing to the 24-hour bandh called by Rongmei Naga Council Manipur-Ntayphay Luangrian (RNCM-NTL) along the Imphal-Jiribam section of NH-37 and Bishnupur to Rengpang Tongjei Maril route, no vehicles plied along the said routes on Monday.

Men, women and youth belonging to Rongmei, Kharam, Aimol and Chiru tribes blocked the road and burnt tyres at Chinikon Crossing, Keithelmanbi and Loktak Project among others to enforce the bandh called by RNCM-NTL in protest against alleged indifferent attitude of the state government to its demand for an alternative administration arrangement by bringing settlements of Naga tribes, especially Rongmeis living in the foothills of Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts under Noney district.

The Council justified by the agitation by pointed out Rongmei and other Naga tribes have been derived of government benefits such as NFSA, MGNREGS, PMJAY, health and education, especially due to the ongoing unrest situation in the state.

Speaking to media persons regarding the road block enforced by Foothills Manipur under the aegis of RNCM-NTL, Rongmei Naga Lu Phuam's Grace Kamei expressed strong resentment that Rongmei Nagas are disregarded and treated as aliens and when they visit government offices in Churachandpur district headquarters for processing and procuring necessary documents and asked to pay Rs 100 per person as tax during entry and exit.

Memorandums regarding the grievances were submitted to chief minister N Biren on December 23, 2023 and June 15 this year, but there has been no concrete measure taken up, she said, reiterating that such callousness compelled them to launch agitation.

During the protest, the agitators chanted slogans demanding alternative administrative arrangement at the earliest by including Rongmei Nagas settling under Churchandpur and Kangpokpi districts to Noney district, etc.

Essential services like electricity, medical, PHED and media were exempted during the bandh.

Owing to the bandh, many loaded trucks were stranded near Noney police outpost and other places awaiting security convoy.

There is no report of any untoward incident till the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, due to incessant rains in the last few days, landslides occurred at Pongringlong village along NH-37, leaving the road filled with mud debris.

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