SHDDC to intensify blockade
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 24 2011:
With the talks between the government and the SHDDC cancelled today as members of the SHDDC failing to turn up as scheduled, the SHDDC has further resolved to continue and intensify the economic blockade.
Talks between the government and the SHDDC led by Thakam, VP SHDDC and Tonghen Kipgen, Secretary, SHDDC were held on Oct 23 starting from 9:30 pm and went on till 11:40 pm, where it was decided to continue the meeting today.
Coming out of the meeting Tonghen Kiphen talking to media persons had sounded positive raising hopes of some kind of settlement.
But all hopes were shattered as the delegation of SHDDC members and various CSOs failed to even turn up for the talks today.
A statement issued to the press jointly signed by Tonghen Kipgen, General Secretary and Ngamkhohao Haokip, President of SHDDC said that even after seven rounds of talks with the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Manipur, the Manipur Government could not come up with any concrete decision to inaugurate Sadar Hills as a full-fledged Autonomous District which has been pending for the last 40 years.
The Chief Minister himself has time and again promised before the media that he will solve the problem of Sadar Hills district within two months starting from August amidst hopes and expectations of the Sadar Hills people.
However, he has failed to translate his own words into action, the statement said.
It further said that considering all these reasons the SHDDC has finally resolved to continue with the economic blockade along the two National highways with renewed intensity even during election and thereafter.
Public rallies within Sadar Hills and general strikes throughout the State will be organised to press the Government for realisation of the demand for Districthood.
As decided earlier, all Government functions, election campaigns and all forms of electioneering will to be banned in Sadar Hills.
It earnestly appealed to the people of Manipur and State Level Kut Committee not to organise Kut celebration on the 1st November 2011 and desist from organising the celebration in all the Hill districts of Manipur, particularly in Sadar Hills.
It is also regretted that the auspicious occasion of Kut celebration could neither be participated nor organised by the Sadar Hills people in all its solemnity and gaiety.
The press release further expressed its regret to the people of Manipur for causing hardships following the long economic blockade imposed by SHDDC due to mis-governance and indifferent attitude of the State Government toward the people of Sadar Hills for 40 years.
Meanwhile, reports reaching here at Hueiyen Lanpao said that in the meeting which was convened yesterday, the delegates of SHDDC members and various CSOs had demanded the conversion of Sadar Hills into a full fledged district before the coming state assembly elections where the CM responded that it will be done after the election and also proposed to the delegates to sign a MOU with the government in the regard.
The response and proposals of the Chief Minister were discussed at an executive meeting held at an unknown place today.
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