Road blockades, protest demonstrations cripple normal life
Source: The Sangai Express

Bishnupur/Thoubal, September 19 2023: The 48 hour bandh called demanding unconditional release of the five village defence volunteers arrested by the Police crippled normal life across the State today.

Bishnupur
Normal life was impacted badly in Bishnupur district following the 48 hour bandh.

Though curfew was relaxed from 5 am till 5 pm today, inter-district vehicles and passenger service kept off the roads and major market places like Nambol Keithel, Oinam Keithel, Bishnupur Keithel, Ningthoukhong Keithel, Moirang Keithel, Moirang Lamkhai and Kumbi Keithel were shut in the district due to the bandh.

Shops remained closed and no business activities were carried out.

Road blockades, protest demonstrations cripple normal life

Supporting the bandh, members of Bishnupur Apunba Nupi Lup blocked the road at Bishnupur Keithel area and stopped the commuters.

However medical emergencies and essential services were exempted during the bandh.

Voicing the demand for unconditional release of the five arrested persons, a sit-in protest was staged at Ima Phouoibi Lairembi Masaikon Community hall today jointly organised by All Thanga People's Organisation (ATPO) and Khordak Nongmaikhong Apunba Meira Paibi Lup.

Speaking at the protest, Khordak-Nongmaikhong Apunba Meira Paibi Lup Secretary, Heisnam Thouranisabi decried the arrest of five village defenders by the State Police and termed it as really unfortunate.

Stating that the village defenders have been striving sincerely to protect their people and the integrity of Manipur as a whole, she urged for immediate release of these five arrested persons.

She asserted that the ongoing crisis can be resolved only when the atrocities of Kuki narco terrorists are checked and they are kept under control.

In view of the immense suffering of the people who have been in this conflict situation for more than four months now, she appealed to the Central and State Government to ramp up measures to resolve the prevailing crisis and pave the way for restoration of peace and normalcy in the State for the welfare of all.

Placards which read 'Restore peace in Manipur', 'No to Separate Administration', 'Wake Up MLAs, MPs and All Political Parties', 'Go Back Assam Rifles', 'Go Back Chin Kuki Narco Terrorists', 'Stop Narco Terrorism', 'Provide Amicable Solution for Re Settlement at Churachandpur, Moreh, Kangpokpi and Other Kuki Occupied Places' etc were used during the protest.

Thoubal
The bandh supporters came out on the streets early morning and blocked National Highway 102 (Imphal Moreh Road) at Wangjing Keithel and Khongjom Keithel areas.

Prominent market places of Thoubal mainly Wangjing Keithel, Thoubal Keithel, Khongjom Keithel and Yairipok Keithel remain shut during the bandh and shops were closed.

Inter-district vehicles kept off the roads and the district bore a deserted look.

The locals of Thoubal Wangmataba and Thoubal Tangjeng supported the bandh by imposing blockades along the road in their respective areas.

Speaking at the sidelines, one of the women protestors demanded unconditional release of the five arrested persons.

She decried the biased attitude of the authorities for imposing strict laws in valley areas while free hand is given in hill districts.

She urged that the five arrested village defence volunteers should be released at the earliest failing which intense agitation will be carried out.

Womenfolk of different localities of Tentha, Heirok and Wangjing gathered at Wangjing Keithel and blocked the road.

The womenfolk raised slogans like 'Release the arrested village defence volunteers without any condition', 'No compromise on Manipur's integrity', 'Implement NRC in Manipur with immediate effect' etc.

A large number of Meirapaibis also imposed bandh along Heirok, Khongjom Keithel, Khekman, Leishangthem, Yairipok Khoirom Mayai Leikai and Thoudam.

Meanwhile, a sit-in protest was staged at Babu Bazar in Thoubal district urging for unconditional release of the five arrested persons.

The protest was organised by Meitei Community Joint Coordination Committee (MCJCC) Women Wing, local clubs of Thoubal Sabaltongba and Meira Paibis.

MCJCC is an apex body of 18 local clubs of Waithou, Kiyam, Kiyam Siphai, Haokha and Thoubal Khunou.

Speaking at the occasion, MCJCC Women Wing leader Ak Chitreshwori Devi demanded that five persons arrested by the State Police should be released without any conditions.

If the authorities concerned failed to fulfil the demands of the people, then they will be compelled to take up a series of intense protests in association with civil society organisations and Meira Paibis.

The protestors chanted slogans 'Arrest Narco Kuki terrorists', 'State Police is not our enemy', 'Implement NRC in Manipur' etc.