Shutdown ends
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, July 19 2023:
The 72-hour total shutdown imposed by the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), Sadar Hills ended today amid continuous firing in the peripheral area at Phaileng village in Kangpokpi district.
Sporadic firing which began yesterday afternoon at around 5.20 pm continued the whole day today with no confirmation of any casualties on both sides.
Firing and sounds of explosions were heard the whole day in Phaileng area.
Reportedly, the CoTU's 72-hour total shutdown will be followed by various forms of democratic agitation in the district.
The third day of CoTU's 72-hour total shutdown witnessed the closure of all business establishments, educational institutions, Government offices, banks, etc.
while all kinds of vehicles were also off the road except the exempted ones.
Volunteers, mainly the womenfolk were also seen monitoring the vehicular movement along the highway, despite the deployment of security forces in the area.
CoTU's general secretary Lamminlun Singsit said that the 72-hour total shutdown was not only a demonstration but more of a message to stop the unceasing violence.
He continued that a series of democratic agitation would begin from tomorrow by staging a sit-in protest at Champhai Sub Division in Kangpokpi.
Saying that transportation of essential commodities will be allowed from 6 am to 12 pm daily in the district, Lamminlun maintained that movement of private vehicles will also be allowed from 6 am to 6 pm.
There however will be no movement of all types of vehicles from 6 pm to 6 am in Kangpokpi district, he added.
Schools, both Government and private, will remain closed in Kangpokpi till further notice, he said and advised the students from the district studying in other districts to not go to their schools and colleges for the time-being.
The CoTU's general secretary urged the Central Government to expedite the Kuki-Zo political talks with the UPF and KNO and bring immediate solution in the form of separate administration for the Kuki-Zo people.