Indefinite Imphal-Ukhrul bandh at Gwaltabi suspended
Deputy Speaker, MLA ink agreement with JAC
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Imphal/Ukhrul, May 17 2015 : The JAC Against Anti-Social Activities to Gwaltabi Village by Thawai Villagers has suspended its indefinite Imphal-Ukhrul road bandh with immediate effect following an assurance given by the State Government represented by Deputy Speaker MK Preshow Shimray and Lamlai AC MLA Ksh Biren.

An understanding has been arrived at between the representatives of the State Government and JAC in a meeting held from 4 pm to 5.45 pm today.

It is said that Ksh Biren and MK Preshow Shimray told an eight-member team of JAC that their demands could not be fulfilled within the given deadline due to the enforcement of the code of conduct for ADC election.

During the meeting, the JAC representatives rejected the amount calculated and fixed earlier by the State Government officials regarding the loss of property in the April 30 violence.

The Imphal-Ukhrul road being blocked at Gwaltabi

Ksh Biren and MK Preshow Shimray assured the JAC that the loss of property would now be calculated by the people of Gwaltabi and the same would be approved by the State Government.

The Government representatives also agreed to come to Gwaltabi and declare to the locals that they would be held responsible for all the assurances given to JAC representatives.

During the bandh which came into effect from 5 am of May 16, one Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle (MN-01Y-0610) was set ablaze while one Gypsy (NL-02-0381) and one Maruti car were damaged at Gwaltabi.

At Seijang, one Yamaha motorcycle (MN-05-0031) was burnt down while two auto rickshaws (MN-01Y-0610 and MN-03W-0948), one Bolero and one Yamaha motorcycle were damaged.

At Lamlai, one Pulsar motorcycle was damaged by bandh supporters.

It may be mentioned that after Thawai village chief tendered an apology regarding the April 30 incident, Chief Minister Ibobi, Deputy Speaker MK Preshow Shimray and MLAs Ksh Biren and Victor Keishing assured to provide adequate assistance by May 15 to Gwaltabi villagers whose houses and other standing properties were damaged.

However, as the Government could not fulfil the assurance within the said deadline, the JAC imposed the indefinite bandh from 5 am of May 16 .

Earlier in the day, before the agreement was inked, the JAC formed in connection with the incident has been imposing an indefinite bandh along Imphal-Ukhrul road since yesterday.

Meanwhile, a group of bandh supporters reportedly torched a bike today at Gwaltabi area.

Vehicular movement along the Imphal-Ukhrul road via Gwaltabi came to a halt due to the bandh.

However, some private vehicles have reportedly been plying to and fro Imphal-Ukhrul through another route.

The JAC Against Anti-Social Activities on Gwaltabi Village by Thawai Villagers had earlier announced to intensify its stir until the Govt fulfils its promises.

The Govt had reportedly assured to provide adequate assistance by May 15 to Gwaltabi villagers whose houses and other standing properties were damaged.