Bandh disrupts normal life
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 24 2009: Normal life in Singjamei area was seriously affected by the 12 hours NH-39 bandh called in denunciation of the killing of L Satish.

The local people and the Committee on the Killing of L Satish (Tomba) called the bandh after hearing the story of the killing of Satish and arrest of Gunindro from Gunindro himself.

While Satish was reported killed in an encounter with a combined team of Thoubal police commandos and troops of 23 AR, Gunindro was handed over to Lamlai police station as a PLA cadre, though they were picked up together from Sajiwa Jail crossing.

Womenfolk enforcing the 12 hour NH-39 bandh

There was no hindrance to traffic in the early morning.

But a few hours later, large number of women bandh supporters came out to the highway and blocked movement of all kinds of vehicles from Kakwa to Singjamei Chingamakhong crossing.

Because of the bandh, Singjamei Super Market and Singjamei Keithel bore a deserted look.

However, the bandh was relaxed in the evening in view of the public meeting held on the same issue of killing Satish.

On the other hand, the second round of talk between the Chief Minister and the Committee on the Killing of Satish (Tomba) held this night failed to arrive at any understanding.

To the demand of the Committee to institute a judicial enquiry into the killing of Satish, Chief Minister O Ibobi proposed for a magisterial enquiry.

This prompted the Committee members to leave the meeting midway.

The demand for a judicial enquiry was in accordance to a resolution adopted during the public held this evening at Singjamei Mayengbam Leikai.

The meeting endorsed the Committee's earlier decisions besides demanding repeal of AFSPA 1958 from Manipur and provision of security guards to Pebam Gunindro.

The meeting also resolved to continue with various forms of agitation until all the demands are fulfilled.

Even as the Committee members conveyed all the resolutions of the meeting, Chief Minister O Ibobi expressed his consent for a magisterial enquiry while ruling out judicial enquiry.

This led to a sudden break-down of the negotiation.

Notably, the Committee's memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister on May 19 demanded ample evidence to proof Satish was a PLA cadre within 24 hours, adoption of Cabinet decision which guarantees right to live of civilians within the same period and befitting punishment to all those involved in the killing of Satish.

Today's meeting was also attended by representatives of the Apunba Lup and leaders of other civil organisations.