Imphal-Moreh bandh affects movement
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, January 30 2015 : Normal movement was affected on the first day of the indefinite bandh along the Imphal-Moreh Road called by Tengnoupal villagers in Chandel district today.

The indefinte bandh called in protest against denying free movement to the people of Tengnoupal and its surrounding villages by the 24 Assam Rifles saw large number of women blocking the Imphal-Moreh section of NH-102 at Tengnoupal.

Tyres were set ablaze in the middle of the road and slogans were raised against the Assam Rifles.

Protesters also displayed placards reading 'Go Back Assam Rifles' 'Assam Rifles are not friends of the hill people' 'Transfer 24 Assam Rifles' 'We are not terrorists,' etc.

The bandh supporters also prohibited vehicles and AR personnel from crossing the protest area during the bandh.

One of the bandh supporters told media persons that some of the villagers, including a pregnant woman and a paralyzed BP stroke patient who were on their way for a health check up were not only detained and prohibited to proceed around 5.30 last night by the 24 AR at Sita Lamkhai Check point but were also to proceed on foot for a distance of more than 2 kms.

This is not the first instance of harassment meted out to the local people by the AR, she added.

Villagers of Tengnoupal and its surrounding villages are not allowed to venture outside the village after 6 pm by AR depriving them of their fundamental rights, she added.

While appealing to remove AR and their check post at Sita Lamkhai, the women leader warned that the villagers of Tengnoupal will intensify the agitation until or unless the AR is removed from the area.

Meanwhile, Tengnoupal A/C MLA Korungthang interacted with the villagers today.

During his visit, the MLA conveyed the message of the Chief Minister requesting them to suspend the agitation and hold talks with the Government.

No agreement, however was arrived at during the meeting with the MLA.

At the intervention of the MLA, some stranded vehicles coming from Moreh and other vehicles of AR, which were detained earlier, were allowed to proceed to their respective destinations.

Following the report of detention and prohibition of villagers by the 24 AR posted at Tengnoupal, a team of KSO, Chandel district led by its president and media persons, visited Tengnoupal and interacted with the villagers today.

Speaking to media persons, Doumang Haokip, president of KSO Chandel district said the agitation of the villagers has come from a deep rooted discontentment against the Assam Rifles for frequently harassing innocent civilians.

Haokip further said that it is very shameful on the part of the Assam Rifles to call themselves 'friends of the hill people' when they are depriving the people's rights.

The KSO president also appealed the public and other civil organizations to co-operate and endorse the indefinite bandh which was called against the action of the Assam Rifles.

Meanwhile, All Tribal Women Organization, Chandel district and Chingtam Nupi Apunba Lup, Pallel have strongly condemned the act of AR.

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