Bandhs line up:: After UNC, KSDC to follow suit
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 07, 2013: After a long lull, now it's time for raining bandhs in Manipur, thanks to the Telangana issue.

Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) today announced to impose a 48-hour bandh in all Kuki inhabited areas in Manipur with effect from midnight of August 13, the time when United Naga Council (UNC)- sponsored 48-hour bandh will get over.

The Naga body is pushing for a separate administration (Alternative Arrangement) from the Manipur government while the Kuki body is demanding a separate Kuki statehood by carving out 'Kuki areas' in Manipur.

Announcing the bandh after a joint meeting with representatives of several Kuki organsiations and village chiefs at Kangpokpi today, Information and Publicity Secretary of KSDC George Guite said, "We have been discussing the course of agitation to be carried out further in pursuance of our legitimate political rights here today and resolved to imposed 48 hrs total General Strike from August 13 midnight in all Kuki inhabited areas in Manipur to pressure the Govts.

to fulfill our demand.

This time, the agitation will be more vigorous than anything witnessed in the past over the same issue".

He further said that the committee is confident enough that it is feasible for the Centre to create Kukiland since "Nothing is impossible in politics" With exception to media and medical, the General Strike will cover all other activities including Government establishments, educational institutions, business establishment, vehicular movements, etc, Guite added.

Announcing boycott of coming Independence Day, KSDC has also appealed to all Government employees and students to stay away from participating in Independence Day observance on 15 August to gear up and show support to the legitimate demand of the KSDC.

Yesterday, UNC announced to call 48 hours bandh starting from August 11 midnight.

Given this picture, Manipur, especially the hill districts where the Nagas and the Kukis dominated, will experience four days straight bandh.

This would also mean that the national highways and roads linking the state capital Imphal with the rest of the country will be choked for four days.

At present, Manipur is yet to recover from the serious landslide impact which had cut off the main supply line of the state National Highway 2 for almost a month.

Since July 8, the supplies of essential commodities have been affected following a 48-hour bandh and the subsequent July 12 massive landslide near Kohima.

The landslide was cleared three days ago.

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