Imphal-Moreh transporters withdraw bandh
Chandel Nagas to continue counter blockade
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 28 2011:
The ongoing bandh of transporters along the Imphal-Moreh road following an incident at Thamnapokpi area has been called off from today after the agitating transporters and the state government came to an agreement today.
Meanwhile, expressing strong resentment against the state government and the JAC Imphal Moreh Road Transporters and Drivers for showing the Nagas of Chandel district in a poor light to the people of the state, Khoring Victor, Convener Chandel Naga Civil Societies Committee (CNCSC) today said that they will continue their counter economic blockade along the Imphal-Moreh road until and unless the government made an agreement with the UNC.
He also warned of a fierce clash if the government does not stop misrepresenting the Nagas of Chandel District to the rest of the state.
The agreement between the transporters and the state government was reached during a meeting among the representatives of state government, DGP, Assam Rifles, SP Thoubal, SP Chandel, Transporters and Driver' Council, All Manipur Road Transports Drivers and Motor Workers' Union and JAC Imphal Moreh Road Transporters held this morning.
The agreement was reached on the condition that the OC Tengnoupal be immediately transfered and adequate security escort on the stretch be provided.
Since the bandh has been called off, normal operations of transporters along the stretch will continue from tomorrow.
Vehicles will gather at Pallel from 6 am to 9 pm where checking will be done and will be taken to Moreh under tight security escort.
They will gather at Moreh on the next day from 6 am to 9 am and will leave for Imphal with security escorts after routine checking.
No vehicles will stop in areas between Moreh and Pallel particularly at Khudengthabi, Tengnoupa and Bongyang areas.
It may be mentioned that the driver, who was injured after the vehicle he was driving fell into a gorge when UNC blockade supporters attacked him on September 23, is undergoing treatment at Shija Hospitals.
Speaking to reporters in a press meet held at Thamnapokpi today, Victor, convener CNCSC said that the driver of the Tata Sumo was injured in a self accident which occurred when he tried to overtake another vehicle.
It has got nothing to do for the Chandel Nagas.
He also said that Nagas of Chandel district strongly condemned the transfer of OC Tengnoupal for his report which reflected the incident truthfully.
They also condemned the bandh imposed by the transporters at Kakching Lamkhai alleging that the transporters beat up Nagas after dragging them down from buses and made them walk for more than five kilometers to reach their homes.
He appealed to the state government not to misrepresent the Chandel Nagas and their peaceful agitation to the rest of the state.
Meanwhile, UNC blockade supporters today checked vehicles at Thamnapokpi areas and allowed free passages to empty vehicles.
During the checking, three litres of local liquor were seized from a Maruti Van which was released after burning the liquor.
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