COPTAM total in Sadar Hills
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, September 13 2012: Sardar Hills witnessed a deserted look today following the 24-hour bandh imposed by Kuki Students Organisation, Thadou Students Association, COPTAM, Kuki Inpi of Sadar Hills, SANPO and many others in protest against the inclusion of some villages of hill districts in the Panchayat election held today.

Shops, business establishment, education institutes and transports were non-functional today.

When a team of media persons visited Kangpokpi this afternoon, a big black banner written "Black Day" was stretched across the market place with people remaining indoors.

Today's bandh was coincided with Kukis' Black Day.

Black flags were seen erected from Motbung besides the road and atop their houses till Kangpokpi and beyond.

Churachandpur town wore a deserted look during the bandh called by COPTAM in protest against inclusion of tribal villages in hills under Panchayat elections on Sep 13

The Kuki inpi had gone ahead observing the Black Day today remembering the Kukis killed in the 1990s ethnic clashes.

Meanwhile, in Saikul area of Sadar Hills, the people have boycotted the Panchayat election.

At Soraland polling station, the visiting media persons witnessed only security force personnel and polling officers present.

At Irong Part-1, only 11 voters cast their votes.

However, in a polling station Phoibi Government UJB School (Saikul area) at least 129 voters turned out to cast their votes.

Villagers of the Saikul subdivision said they are already under Autonomous District Council so "it is not legitimate to be under Panchati Raj" .

Though the media could not visit all the polling stations under Saikul area due to time factor, it was learnt that the people in the area in general have boycotted today's poll.

Meanwhile, the Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas, Manipur (COPTAM) has strongly condemned the alleged atrocities committed by the security forces on the Gorkha/Nepali villagers of Saikul area today.

" As the Gorkhas/Nepalis have opted to remain under the hill administration, they have decided to abstain from Panchayat/ Zilla Parishad elections and related activities.

However, some security personnel at the instigation of some politicians/ MLAs coerced the Nepali voters, drag them out of their houses, assaulted them and forced them to cast their votes.

The security forces are openly abusing their duties in the interest of some vested politicians.

This is an act of violation of people's liberty," COPTAM general secretary Thangkam Lupheng stated.

He added that since the Gorkhas/ Nepalis of Saikul area have willingly opted to stay away from Panchayat elections, they have not cast a single vote in the elections.

But, some voters have been made to cast their votes forcibly by the security forces.

And proxy-voting by security personnel has also been done, Thangkam Lupheng further alleged.

The COPTAM also denounces the "unbecoming action" of the Assam Rifles on COPTAM leaders in Churachandpur district who enforced the general strike for their democratic rights and justice to the tribal people of Manipur.

"We will like to thank each and everyone who supported and co-operate with COPTAM in its 12 hours general strike today," expressed COPTAM.