ZSUM calls off bandh, MoU signed
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 02 2013 : he indefinite bandh called by Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur (ZSUM) along Imphal-Jiribam Road in Tamenglong district since midnight of January 1 will be suspended from 1 am of Thursday following signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State Government on Wednesday.

The bandh has been called in protest against the alleged killing of one Gaungsingam Dangmei, who was claimed to be a 'discharged' cadre of Zeliangrong Union Front (ZUF) by troops of 10 Assam Rifles during a reported encounter at Shangji Village near Noney under Khoupum Police Station in Tamenglong district on December 30 .

In the wake of the killing, ZSUM demanded handing over all those involved in the killing for trial in accordance to Zeliangrong customary law, removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, shifting away the AR post from Noney, etc.

Announcing suspension of the bandh during a news conference at Manipur Press Club here today, State Secretary of ZSUM Kadijanbou Pamei informed that representatives of ZSUM met Chief Minister O Ibobi in the presence of MLA of Tamei A/C Kikhonbou Newmai at the Chief Minister's Bungalow this afternoon.

During the meeting, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed, according to which the Government agreed to fulfill four demands of ZSUM.

Womenfolk demonstrating at Noney Bazar against killing of Gaungsingam Dangmei

Accordingly, the Government of Manipur would be instituting a magisterial inquiry into the killing and the inquiry committee to be headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Tamenglong district would be submitting its report within one month.

Based on the magisterial inquiry report, necessary action would be initiated against the personnel involved in the killing as per law, Pamei informed.

Moreover, necessary compensation would be provided to the deceased's family in accordance to the existing rule of the Government, he said, and added that following signing of the MoU, ZSUM has agreed to take back the body and withdraw the bandh with effect from 1 am Thursday.

It may be noted there that body of Guangsingam Dangmei is still lying at the mortuary of JNIMS and the post-mortem is likely to be conducted tomorrow before handing it over to ZSUM and bereaved family members.

Prior to signing of the MoU and lifting of the bandh, traffic along Imphal-Jiribam road, a large section of which falls under Tamenglong district remained disrupted.

Along with shutting down Noney Market, a large number of womenfolk also staged a protest demonstration to demand justice.

Talking to mediapersons on the sideline of the protest demonstration, Vice President of Noney Area Women's Union Athiu strongly condemned the killing while reiterating that Guangsingam Dangmei had been picked up along with a friend identified as Nanao by Assam Rifles.

Although Nanao was released after interrogation, Guangsingam was found shot dead.

President of Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) Amu Kamei asserted that Assam Rifles personnel are unleashing a reign of terror in Tamenglong district after the resolution adopted in the first session of 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly for conducting mass combing operation in the district to flush out insurgents.

Questioning the rationale behind such a resolution when the activities of insurgents are present in all the districts of Manipur, Amu demanded that the Assembly resolution adopted in respect of Tamenglong district alone should be withdrawn at once.