NPF bandh total in hill districts
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 27 2015: The 24 hour bandh called by the Naga People's Front to protest the failure of the Government to instal the Autnomous District Councils was total and complete in the hill districts particularly in the Naga dominated districts of Chandel, Senapati and Ukhrul.

Ukhrul town wore a deserted look owing to the total shut down of the markets.

Inter district vehicular movement was halted and schools and offices remained closed during the bandh.

Speaking to media persons, TNL president Weapon Zimik said all other political parties and tribal civil organizations should unite and support the NPF's demand.

The TNL president convened a joint meeting with chairmen and secretaries of Ukhrul town seeking their support and co-operation for strict enforcement of NPF bandh at Ukhrul yesterday.

Wungnaoshang, president of NPF, Ukhrul division, during a brief interaction with this correspondent said the front had earlier submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister and Governor of Manipur appealing for the formation of MDC in the hill districts.

The Government had however turned a deaf ear to the demand compelling the democratic agitation.

NPF will intensify its agitation to the extent of picketing Government offices, prohibiting both State and National projects at Naga inhabited areas until the necessary notifications for the formation of ADCs are issued, he added.

However , he said, the future course of action will be initiated after the NPF State level review sitting which will be held without delay.

The newly formed political party of Hill's People Alliance from Churachandpur and NPF have worked out a basic understanding and have resolved to work closely to protect tribal rights, Wungnaoshang stated.

NPF also alleged that Ibobi and Gaikhangam are continuously depriving the hill people by delaying the MDC formation which is in violation of article 371(C) .

Even though it has been more than a month since election to the District Councils was held, the State Government is yet to issue any notification for the installation of the elected members, said NPF and added that it will intensify its stand until the MDC is formed at the respective hill districts of Manipur.

No untoward incident has been received till the time of filing this report.

Normal life in Chandel district was severely affected due to the 24 hours bandh called by the Naga People's Front (NPF) Manipur Unit against the failure of the State Government in issuing necessary notification for formation of the Autonomous District Council.

Vehicular movement along Imphal-Moreh section of National Highway 102 and Chandel district headquarters road from Pallel came to a grinding halt as volunteers of NPF enforced the bandh by piling woods and boulders along the road at several locations.

Despite heavy downpour, a large number of bandh supporters blocked the Imphal-Moreh road near Thamlapokpi, Pallel-Chandel road at Liwachangning, DC Lamkhai, Kanankhu Lamkhai and Panchai Lamkhai and Machi sub-divisional headquarters road at Tuishimi.

During the bandh, Chandel district headquarters and Chakpikarong sub-divisional headquarters wore deserted looks as shops and business establishments downed shutters.

Besides educational institutions remaining shut, Government offices recorded low attendance at the district headquarters and sub-divisional headquarters.

However, emergency services and religious related vehicles were exempted from the purview of the bandh.

Briefing media persons, NPF Chandel Division's president Ts John Molarsing said the State Government conducted the ADC election on June 1 and the election result was declared accordingly.

But even after a lapse of more than one month after declaration, the State Government is yet to form Autonomous District Councils.

Questioning the motive of delaying the Council's formation, the divisional president of NPF said such delaying tactics and attitude of the State Government are strongly condemnable.

Molarsing also maintained that the formation of Autonomous District Council is one of the initiatives to develop the hill districts.

As such, the State Government should install the District Councils at the earliest.

The President also warned that the front will intensify the agitation if the State Government fails to expedite the process of forming the District Councils.

The NPF sponsored bandh ended peacefully at Senapati too with more agitations on the cards.

Till the time of filing this report, more than 150 vehicles including commercial and private were stranded at Mao gate.

According to sources, NPF volunteers came out on the streets along NH-2 and imposed the total bandh effectively with no movement of both local and commercial vehicles.

Educational institutions, banks and Government offices wore a deserted look.

At Senapati DHQs, NPF bandh supporters detained some private vehicles violating the bandh but were released towards evening on humanitarian ground.

Supporters took to the streets at Mao, Maram, Senapati DHQs to enforce the bandh.

Meanwhile, the NPF President Manipur Unit Awangbow has also announced that, an emergency meeting of NPF Manipur will be held tomorrow morning to discuss the further course of agitation to pursue demand.

With no positive response from the State Government so far, the NPF informed that it will approach higher authorities to discuss the present situation and make sure justice is delivered to the tribal people of Manipur.

While extending appreciation and acknowledgment to all the NPF units of different districts, civil bodies, supporters and tribal leaders, the former MLA warned that, it will continue to fight to protect tribal rights which have been denied by the State Government.

He stated, "no Government or Chief Minister is above the law; justice cannot be denied" .

No CM or Government can challenge the Constitution, he said and added that the present political scenario in Manipur has been created by the Ibobi led Congress Government.

"We are determined to fight for our democratic rights and the people's cry for justice will be delivered at all cost" .

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