48-hour bandh in hills dists begins
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Kangpokpi, October 18 2015: The 48-hour total bandh in the hill districts of the state called by the Joint Action Committee against the killing of Khupneilal Neihsiel and Robert Hesei Kipgen began on Sunday midnight.

The JAC has called the total bandh to register its protest over the delay in furnishing the magisterial inquiry report pertaining to the Kadangband killings by the Government within the stipulated three months' time.

The Trans Asian Highway No-1, the main lifeline of the state is likely to be affected seriously as it has become the main targeted highway by every bandh and blockade supporters in the state.

According to a reliable source in the JAC, all Government institutions, business establishments and vehicular movement in hill districts will be completely shut during the total bandh while educational institutions will be exempted from the purview of the strike apart from medical services and religious activities, water power and media.

JAC Convener Thangminlen Haokip said that the JAC is extremely unhappy over the delay in tabling the report pertaining to the magisterial probe in the alleged encounter between KNF and personnel of 8 AR on January 28, 2015 at Kadangband.

He continued that the state Government sincerely assured to table the magisterial probe report within three months after it[state Government] constituted a magisterial inquiry vide order No.20/1(13)/2013-H(LC)/p, dated 31st January 2015. He further said failure of the State Government in tabling the report despite giving repeated assurances ever after 8 months has aroused suspicion and apprehension among the people that the Government is trying to protect the guilty personnel involved in the killing.

Therefore, the JAC and the Kuki civil bodies take strong exception of this state of affairs and consider it as violation of human rights and denial of justice to the people, asserted Thangminlen Haokip.

The people have placed their trust in the Government to establish the truth since the fact that it was a fake encounter killing is very much evident, the JAC convener further said.

The JAC also appealed to all state and inter-state transporters, businesspersons and Government employees to respect the bandh and abstain from any act of defiance.

It urged people to team up with the JAC and render support during the 48 -hour bandh stating that the repeated human rights violation by the Assam Rifles of which every person in the state irrespective of tribe and community is a victim in one way or the other.

In showing solidarity with the JAC, various Kuki CSOs including Kuki Inpi Manipur and KSO GHQ has assured to extend support and cooperation to the JAC in any form in its movement during the 48 hr bandh in the hill districts of the state.

A reliable source said that if the state Government fails to fulfill the demand within the 48 hour, the JAC is likely hold a joint meeting with the Kuki CSOs for further agitation like economic blockade.

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