Total shutdown begins
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 12 2024: Denouncing alleged silence of the government over the killing of Sapam Sophiya at Saiton village while harvesting paddy crops and abduction of 10 civilians including two minors by Kuki-Zo militants in Jiribam district, 13 organisations have imposed total shutdown statewide with immediate effect till 6 pm of Wednesday.

The bodies warned of launching intense protests by joining hands with the people if the government fails to perform its tasks within 24 hours.

The 13 organisations included International Peace And Social Advancement (IPSA), Peoples' Action for National Democratic Movement (PANDM), Kangleipak Landing Apunba Meira Paibi Lup (Kanglamei), All Clubs Organisation Association & Meira Paibi Lup (ACOAM-Lup), Kangleipak Students' Association (KSA), Indigenous People's Association of Kangleipak (IPAK), Chanura Lamchinglel Kangleipak (CLK), Kanglei Ima Lup (KIL), Loumee Yaipha Lup Kangleipak (LOYALUP), Educational and Rural Development Organisation (ERDO), Malem Ima Kanba Lup (MIKL), Struggling Women's Association (SWA) and Apunba Keithel Sinnaibi Lup (AKSIL) .

Speaking to media persons at IPSA's Keishampat office on Tuesday, spokesperson of the 13 bodies Nahakpam Shanta reasoned that the shutdown call has been given to protest government s failure to take action against Kuki militants.

The government should clarify within 24 hours why those involved in filling of Sophiya could not be arrested, he demanded.

He termed as lamentable that in-spite of flexing muscle power, the central and state governments are hesitating to tackle the Kuki militants.

The lack of response from Manipur's security advisor and officers of the army, BSF, and Assam Rifles is equally disturbing," he said, while urging the government to substantiate action taken, if any, within 24 hours.

The spokesperson also pointed out that economic blockade imposed along the national highways for the last one week and non-withdrawal of the agitation despite arrest of the accused persons by police are causing serious inconveniences to people of different communities settling in the valley.

Amidst such a distressful situation, Kuki-Zo militants launched coordinated attacks on Meeteis, he contended and condemned the failure of Manipur government, intelligence, police and other law enforcing agencies to arrest Kuki militants who killed Sapam Sophiya.

He strongly denounced the failure of the government to take appropriate action against the abduction of 10 civilians including two minors and injuries caused to CRPF personnel on Monday, stating that such untoward incidents could have been averted had the government taken up pre-emptive measures.

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