NH-102 bandh : Talk with CM breaks down
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 01 2015: The two-hour long meeting between bandh supporters and Chief Minister Okram Ibobi failed to break any deadlock on the ongoing indefinite NH-102 bandh.

As such, the organisations which are imposing the bandh on the highway have decided to continue their stir till their demand to withdraw 24 Assam Rifles from Tengnoupal is fulfilled.

Talking to The Sangai Express over the phone, a spokesperson of these organisations said that Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Tengnoupal AC MLA DK Korungthang and ADC Chairman Seisei Zou were also present at the meeting which was held at the Chief Minister's office chamber from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm.

Kuki Women's Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) chairman Lamkhoneng Mate, KWOHR secretary Namheishing Mate, KWOHR Advisors Vajaning Mate and Vaikhoneng Mate, Saivong village chief Aping Haokip, Tengnoupal village chief Thangkholin Mate, KSO Chandel president Dokhomang Haokip, Thadou Students' Organisation, Chandel president V Khongsai and others represented the bandh supporters.

During the meeting, the organisations put their demand for immediate withdrawal of 24 Assam Rifles from Tengnoupal before the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister.

They told the Chief Minister that AR troops have been constantly harassing the civilians, particularly the villagers of Tengnoupal.

The Chief Minister told the representatives that the State Government is not authorised to withdraw 24 Assam Rifles or bring another AR unit as the matter is directly dealt by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

After listening to the Chief Minister's response, the organisation representatives requested him to at least take up some steps so that the present CO of 24 Assam Rifles is transferred from Tengnoupal.

However, the Chief Minister requested the representatives to suspend the bandh till the unified command meeting, which is scheduled to be held on February 4 .

Although, the issue was discussed for around two hours, no understanding could be brought, the spokesperson said.

As the response given by the Chief Minister was not satisfactory, the organisations decided to intensify their stir and impose bandh on NH-102 till their demand is fulfilled, he added.

He said that people of all sections must collectively extend support to the ongoing bandh as AR troops never spare anybody in harassing the public on the highway.

Meanwhile the Meitei Council, Moreh (MCM) has endorsed the Imphal-Moreh road bandh.

Speaking to media persons at their office today, one MCM functionary said that AR personnel posted along Imphal-Moreh road have been harassing passengers travelling between Moreh and Imphal since quite a long time back.

Passengers and their vehicles checked by 24 AR at Tengnoupal-Sita junction are again checked by AR troops of the same unit at Khudengthabi thereby causing great difficulties to civilian passengers.

The MCM representative appealed to the authority concerned to ensure smooth and hassle free movement of civilians between Imphal and Moreh.

He further pledged unstinted support to any course of action that may be taken up by Tengnoupal villagers and their supporters.

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