JAC's 48 hour bandh derails normal life, more support pours in
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, October 19 2015: The 48 hour bandh called by the Joint Action Committee Against the Killing of Khupneilal Neihsiel and Robert Hesei Kipgen over failure of the State Government to table the magisterial probe report within the stipulated three months time threw normal life in the hill districts out of gear on the first day of the strike.

The bandh was also total in CCpur with the KSO, HSA and ZSF extending support.

The first day of the JAC 48 hr total bandh in the entire hill districts of the State was complete though there is no report of any untoward incident.

All vehicular movement along the Trans Asian Highway No.1 in Sadar Hills came to a grinding halt.

All inter-State and State vehicles and goods vehicles stayed off the road, except those exempted from the purview of the bandh.

Local movement of vehicles came to a complete halt at Kangpokpi town, which severely affected the student community while attendance in Government offices was minuscule.

Business establishments also came to a grinding halt.

Deserted stretch of the National Highway at Kangpokpi

Though, educational institutions were exempted from any bandh, strike, and agitation as per the resolution of the CSOs of Sadar Hills, the bandh badly affected students due to non-availability of vehicles for students' transportation today in the town.

Many commuters were seen crossing the town by foot with their luggage under the sweltering heat due to the complete suspension of passenger service vehicles.

Meanwhile, Thadou Youth Association, GHQ expressed their support to the JAC during its 48 hr total bandh, which began yesterday midnight.

While strongly condemning the alleged inhumane murder of Khupneilal Neihsiel and Robert Hesei Kipgen by personnel of 8 Assam Rifles on January 28, 2015 at Kadangband, TYA also simultaneously condemned the State Government for remaining as a mute spectator despite the magisterial inquiry and failure to furnish the report as assured.

Nehminthang Kipgen, President, Thadou Youth Association (TYA), GHQ said that the killing of Khupneilal Neihsiel and Robert Hesei Kipgen by personnel of 8 AR violated human rights in its worst form.

He continued that TYA will endorse and collaborate with the JAC in its movement to unveil the true nature of the encounter and to punish the guilty personnel as per the law.

TYA also demanded immediate action on the part of the State Government to table and make public the magisterial inquiry report and added that the State Government should be held responsible for any untoward incident.

Our CCpur correspondent adds : The HSA, KSO and ZSF have also extended support to the bandh with shops being closed and vehicles with the exception of those ferrying school going students staying off the road.

The bandh was total as the entire expanse of the district's crucial corridors sported a deserted look.

However, the hours leading to the opening and closing of educational institutions observed sizable traffic as the student bodies that declared their support to the JAC bandh exempted schools from the bandh purview.

The relatively mute atmosphere in the town was however interrupted by several hundreds of woman who gathered at Lamka Public ground around noon today.

They held prayer meetings and called on the president of ZRO to step-down from his post claiming that he had shunted his own people and their interest.

Shouting slogans before reporters, the women said he should step down or should be removed.

Later, they gathered at the residence of Zomi Council's interim Chairman and took their resolution to him.

The womenfolk reportedly decided that they will abstain from paying any fund to the organisation as long as the incumbent president stays.

They also claimed that a memo each has been handed over to the apex bodies of various tribes affiliated to Zomi Council, however it is not known what exactly the memo contained.

The ZC interim chairman is learnt to have told the womenfolk that it has no authority to remove or replace the president of ZRO.