JAC likely to impose State-wide strike; trucks stranded along highways
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Kangpokpi, February 20 2015 : Joint Action Committee (JAC) on Kadangband killing is likely to impose a State-wide general strike after its five-day economic blockade which will end on February 22 midnight.

Convener of the JAC Thangminlen Haokip stated that despite the ongoing economic blockade entering its third day since February 17 midnight, there has been no positive response from the State Government.

There is no question of withdrawing or suspending the economic blockade on the part of the JAC unless the Government fulfills the demands, pointed out Thangminlen.

The Convener further said that a joint meeting with Kuki civil bodies will be held before the end of economic blockade to decide future course of action which may include a State-wide general strike.

He continued that it is very unfortunate and at the same time too inauspicious on the part of the State Government that the JAC decided to resort to economic blockade instead of state-wide general strike.

"However if the Government continues to remain silent, we will definitely intensify the protest," Thangminlen cautioned.

The joint meeting of JAC and Kuki civil bodies likely to be held on February 22 will decide on the matter.

While seeking continual support, the JAC Convener said the State Government will be held responsible for any untoward incident during the economic blockade.

Meanwhile, vehicular movement along National Highways (NH-37 and NH-2) were disrupted on the third day of the economic blockade even as the State Government provided security escorts to the vehicles ferrying essential commodities.

A report from Senapati said that 52 loaded trucks were stranded at Henbung taxation check post of Senapati even as goods laden vehicles arriving from Dimapur side earlier were escorted by police while crossing Kangpokpi area.

The stranded vehicles were likely to proceed to their destinations on Saturday morning with escort to be provided by the personnel of the Kangpokpi police of Senapati district, an official source said.

Around 18 goods laden trucks were reportedly stranded at Leingangpokpi area along Imphal-Jiribam section of NH-37.They were also waiting for security escorts.

Normal vehicular movement along Imphal-Moreh section of NH-102 was totally paralyzed for the day owing to twin strikes, the economic blockade and a bandh called by All Tribal Blind Association, Chandel District on Friday.

Showing solidarity to the cause of the JAC, villagers of Tengnoupal area were also imposing the economic blockade at Thamlapokpi area along Imphal-Moreh Road since Wednesday.

However, vehicles stranded beyond Tengnoupal have proceeded to Imphal side late Friday evening without security escorts after the blockade supporters went back to their villages.

The vehicles were stranded due to the bandh called by Chandel-based All Tribal Blind Association in protest against the alleged government indifferent attitude towards translating its assurance of providing grant in aid to Mission Blind School located at Heikakpokpi village in Chandel district.

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