Imphal, July 23 2010: With the much-demanded objective of banning the rampant bandhs and economic blockades called for at the drop of a hat by any group of people which badly affect normal life and economy of the state, the Manipur Legislative Assembly today unequivocally resolved to form a House Committee to formulate a legislation to do the needful.

The Committee will have seven members comprising Minister of Law and Legislative Affairs, Th Devendra, Opposition leader MLA Radhabinod Koijam, MLAs O Joy, RK Anand, L Nandakumar, Chairman of PDA, Dr Kh Loken and Chairman of MANITRON, Dr Kh Ratankumar.

The House resolved that the Committee would formulate a legislation to ban bandhs and blockades and also find practicable ways to set up a special court within a period of two months after consultations with the Advocate General, Government of Manipur and other legal experts, and table a report on the floor of the House.

The House took the decision after dicussing a private member resolution for over one and half hour moved by MPP MLAs, O Joy, RK Anand, Dr Ng Bijoy and Dr I Ibohalbi on "formulation of a legislation to ban bandh and blockade, to give exemplary punishment to those organisations and persons who call for and sponsor the bandh and blockade, to recoup compensation for the losses and damages because of the bandh and blockade from the sponsors, and to set up a special court to try cases related to the same" .

Moving the private member resolution, MLA Joy said, the total number of bandhs and blockades called by different organisations during the last 15 years is 628 .

The daily loss during bandh is estimated to be between Rs 5 and 6 crore.

Blockade causes a loss of Rs 2/3 crore daily.

He said, Manipur is a state which depends on essential commodities brought from other states.

The state has become addicted to bandhs and blockades.

It is time the legislators carried out their duty to ban this menace.

MLA Joy further said that bandh/blockade deprives citizens of human rights.

It violates a citizen's fundamental right to move freely as he wishes.

Bandhs and blockades are illegal and against the Indian Constitution, MLA Joy said.

He cited the judgment ordered by Kerala High Court in 1997 that bandhs and blockades are illegal and unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court had upheld the judgment of Kerala High Court on November 12 of the same year, the veteran MPP leader added.

He said, a ruling given by the apex court of India, which is the Supreme Court, is applicable in all parts of India.

Therefore it is the duty of a state government to formulate a legislation to punish those who call for or sponsor bandhs and blockades.

It is not right to remain watching the bandhs and blockades playing havoc with people's lives and properties, and let those sponsors go scot free, Joy said.

He further said that there are a lot of differences between Manipur and other states of India in the context of bandhs and blockades.

Therefore it is necessary for the state to have a legislation of its own to outlaw bandhs and blockades, MLA Joy pointed out and appealed to the House to unanimously pass the resolution.

Extending support to the private member resolution, MLAs Dr Ng Bijoy, Dr I Ibohalbi and RK Anand also pointed out the demerits of bandhs and blockades and appealed to the House to pass the resolution.

Minister of Power, Phungzathang Tonsing, supporting the arguments, observed that there would not be any other place in the world where bandhs and blockades continue for too long like in Manipur.

He remarked that it was a good proposal, and it would be fair to discuss the matter irrespective of opposition or ruling.

Minister of Law and Legislative Affairs, Th Devendra, who is in charge of Chief Minister as O Ibobi has left for Delhi today, observed that what the Members were pointing out were all true.

Bandhs and blockades have become a menace in Manipur.

However, as it needs formulation of a new legislation and setting up of a special court, it needs proper study and consultation with experts in the field of law.

Therefore it would be right to set up a House Committee and take some time to do the necessary home works.

Both the oppostion and treasury benches agreed on the observation of the Law and Legislative Affairs Minister, and the House unanimously agreed to form the House Committee.

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