KSO bandh total in Kpi, CCpur
Source: The Sangai Express

Kpi/CCpur, June 07 2019: The 24 hours Statewide bandh imposed by Kuki Students Organizations, GHQs since midnight of June 6 badly affected normal life along Trans Asian Highway No.1 in Kangpokpi district and other districts which have a sizeable Kuki population.

The otherwise busy Trans Asian Highway No.1 wore a deserted look as vehicular movement along the highway was suspended for the day.

Business establishments and educational institutions also remained closed owing to the statewide bandh called by KSO-GHQs and supported and endorsed by various sister organizations.

Government offices including the office of District Administration Kangpokpi witnessed minimal attendance.

Around 30/40 loaded trucks including few private vehicles and passengers vehicles were reportedly stranded at old Taxation check post at Hengbung.

Volunteers of KSO manning the highway were seen at Gamgiphai, the entry point of Kangpokpi district and Taphou Kuki village, bordering Senapati district.

KSO bandh total in Kpi, CCpur

Kangpokpi DHQs, also wore a deserted look.

Villages along the Trans Asian Highway No.1 such as Motbung model village, Saparmeina, Keithelmanbi, etc., were also affected.

The strike also crippled normal life in Churachandpur with very few traffic seen on the roads and business houses closed for the day in most part of the town and its adjoining areas.

Several student bodies from the district including the various branches of KSO backed the general strike.

The bandh was strictly enforced along the Tedim Road and Sugnu Road with the proper town wearing a deserted look and traffic was thin.

In some outlining localities the situation however was more relaxed.

Except for a brief standoff that ensued around noon near Sielmat Christian Hospital the bandh was by and large peaceful.

Speaking to media persons at Kangpokpi DHQs in the afternoon, KSO Sadar Hills president in the presence of representatives of KSO-GHQs, members of KSO Chandel and Sadar Hills said that it is the indifference of the authorities concerned that led them to impose the bandh.

If the indifference continues then we will resort to more intense form of agitations including economic blockade in the near future, he threatened.

He recalled that KSO-GHQs produced some of its block executives who were accused of burning down St Joseph's School, Sugnu on April 25 before to let the law take its own course while hoping that if found innocent they would be released.

However, the sincerity of the KSO has been taken advantage by the authorities concerned and the KSO Gunpi block executives were made scapegoats to cover up the failures of the police in tracking down the real culprits, he added.

He also said that the Investigating Officer could not substantiate the charges for detaining the KSO executives.

Meanwhile, KSO Moltam Block also strongly enforced the Statewide bandh along Imphal-Jiribam Road on National Highway 37.In a statement, the student body said that volunteers of KSO Moltam stopped all vehicular movement along NH-37 except those vehicles related with electricity, medical, examinations and other emergencies with genuine documents while Government establishments, educational institutions and business establishments remained closed for the day.