Anti-Sadar hills dist rally in 4 districts
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, August 18 2011: Amid the ongoing agitation sponsored by Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) along the two National Highways leading to Imphal demanding the creation of Sadar Hills district, Naga frontal organisations in Manipur are rolling up their sleeves to counter any move by the State Government to grant district status to Sadar Hills.

Supply lines to Imphal have been choked since August 1 and as a result the people are beginning to feel the heat of the agitation.

In the midst of this imbroglio, Naga frontal organisations are all set to hold rallies in the district and sub-divisional headquarters of Tamenglong, Senapati, Chandel and Ukhrul districts on August 19 against any move of the State Government to create Sadar Hills district.

Sadar Hills is currently under Senapati district and the Naga organisations want that the district should not be bifurcated.

On Friday, rallies will be held simultaneously in the districts of Tamenglong, Senapati, Ukhrul and Chandel.

In Tamenglong district, the Zeliangrong Baudi (ZB) will organise the rally while in Senapati district, the programme will be held under the aegis of Naga People's Organisation (NPO).

In Ukhrul district, the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) will sponsor the programme and in Chandel district, the Chandel Naga People's Organisation (CNPO) will take charge of the programme.

It is still not clear, what mode of agitation will be initiated by the Naga frontal organisations after the Friday rally.

It is worth noting that the economic blockade imposed by SHDDC from midnight of July 31, tentatively for seven days, quickly turned into an indefinite general strike across Sadar Hills, barely two days after the blockade began, following the death of three women in a blockade related incident.

Since the beginning of the agitation, the State Government has invited the striking party to two separate rounds of talks but the parleys failed to hammer out a solution to the vexed issue.

Mediators of SHDDC, including MLAs and members of Sadar Hills ADC, have been camping at New Delhi issue since August 13, seeking appointment with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

A number of vehicles have been burnt to cinders by the agitators.

The State has been completely cut off from the rest of the country via National Highways 39 and 53, which are the arterial transit conduits for sustenance in the State.

Significantly, given the inflation generated by the agitation, the State Government, a few days ago, issued a stern ultimatum to SHDDC to lift blockade imposed on both the highways before August 15 or face a stern crackdown by security forces.

The Ibobi led Government has time and again given out a strong message that it will not be cowed down by agitators trying to have their way without regards to public good.

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