KSO's bandh derails vehicular movement
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 07 2015:
Vehicular movement along the Imphal - Moreh section of National Highway 102 came to a grinding halt today due to the 48 hr hill districts bandh called by the Kuki Students ' Organisation (KSO), General Headquarters against the alleged brutal assault on KSO Chandel's president and two village chiefs by personnel of 24 AR at Khudengthabi check post.
A large number of bandh supporters blocked the highway by burning tyres and piling of tree branches, boulders as well as electric poles at several places along the road stretch.
At H Kotlenphai near Pallel, volunteers who enforced the bandh prohibited the Commanding Officer of 24 Assam Rifles and his escort team from proceeding further by pelting stones forcing them to turn back from the spot.
Bandh supporters including a large number of womenfolk also enforced the bandh at Tengnoupal, Khudengthabi, Sugnu Tribal area and Moreh too since early morning.
However, there is no report of any untoward incident during the bandh till the time of filing this report.
Speaking to media persons, ML Haokip, spokesperson of KSO Chandel said that assaulting a student leader and village chiefs by arrogant security personnel in the largest democracy is highly condemnable.
It only reflects that the arrogance of Assam Rifles personnel, he added.
He also warned that the student body will intensify the ongoing agitation if the authority concerned does not take up appropriate action against the erring personnel of the Assam Rifles and book them.
It may be mentioned that the people of Tengnoupal and the State also protested against the atrocities of the 24 Assam Rifles in the early part of this year.
It is reported that a goods laden mini-truck was set ablaze by suspected bandh supporters at Khoupum today.
A joint meeting of the State Government, KSO and AR authority is likely to be held tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Thadou Students' Association (TSA), Chandel, All Tribal Chiefs and Peoples' Grievances Forum (ATC&PGF), Chandel district, BJP, Tengnoupal Mandal and KSO Khengjoy block have strongly condemned the assault of the KSO leader and two chiefs.
The bandh was effective at Moreh.
Govt offices, schools, colleges, shops and business establishments remained closed.
No untoward incident has been reported till date.
JIRIBAM: A mini-truck (Turbo) loaded with betel leaves was set ablaze by KSO bandh supporters last midnight on NH-37 between Lhangnom village and Old Kaiphundai.
Meanwhile, J Thangboi, general secretary of KSO Jiribam and Tamenglong urged all concerned to respect the KSO bandh which is being called for the betterment of the society.
KSO gen strike impedes Sadar Hills .
KANGPOKPI : Early in the morning some vehicular movement was witnessed along the highway and business establishments were opened at Kangpokpi town as the people were allegedly not aware of the strike being imposed.
However, bandh volunteers started burning tyres in the middle of the road while blocking the highway with stones and broken glasses near Brig Thomas Ground at Kangpokpi and asked all shopkeepers to down their shutters immediately.
Even educational institutions, which were in the middle of the final examination were closed due to protest of the student body while minimal turn out was recorded in all Govt.establishments in the town.
KSO volunteers restricted vehicular movement along the highway except those exempted from the purview of the strike.
The Kuki Students' Organization has demanded that the erring Major and his men be booked at the earliest and make them face legal punishment over the alleged inhuman behavior towards the KSO, Chandel president and two village chiefs on December 5 evening at Khudengthabi AR check post.
Doumang Haokip, President, KSO, Chandel district and two village chiefs namely Koparsing Lamkang, chief of Kotal Khunthak and Letkhosei Haokip, Chief of S Lamphei village were reportedly assaulted by personnel of 24 Assam Rifles led by the said Major, one JCO and his men posted at Khudengthabi AR check post on December 5 .
Various civil society organizations including KSO, Sadar Hills endorsed the KSO GHQs protest and enforced the strike in Sadar Hills which will end tomorrow midnight.
However, the student body has warned of imposing an indefinite general strike if their demands are not met during the 48 hr stir.
Till the time of filing this report, no untoward incident has been reported in the town as well as along the highway within Sadar Hills.
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