NPF 24 hr bandh starts, support elicited
Source: The Sangai Express
Senapati/Ukhrul, July 26 2015:
As announced earlier by the NPF Manipur Unit, the State wide 24 hr total bandh called against the failure of the State Government in issuing necessary notification for formation of the ADC has begun from midnight.
To make the bandh effective, NPF president Awangbou Newmai has appealed to the people of the State to extend support and co-operation for smooth imposition of the said agitation which will conclude on July 27 midnight.
Except for Sadar Hills which is formed by Congress and Churachandpur by Hill People's Alliance, Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Tamenglong ADCs are all set to be formed by the NPF and its partners.
Since the declaration of the result, political parties like BJP and NPF have been demanding 'oath taking ceremony and formation of ADCs' .
According to NPF officials, all forms of vehicular movements including private and commercial, educational institutions, business establishments, Government offices and other institutions will be completely shut down during the total bandh.
However, medical emergency, fire services, security forces and the media will be exempted from the preview of the bandh.
It has also warned that even movement of local vehicles will be strictly prohibited and anyone violating the bandh will be doing so at their own risk.
Justifying its decision to go ahead with the bandh, the NPF president stated that the indifferent attitude of the Congress Government against the ADC formation is very unfortunate and anti-tribal in nature.
It is like robbing the tribals their democratic rights.
He also reiterated that the 24hr total bandh is not an agitation of NPF alone but is a movement for protection of tribal rights and securing the political rights of the people.
It has been one and a half month now since the result was declared on June 10, but the Government is purposely delaying the formation of ADCs in the hill districts of Manipur.
Such a ploy of the Congress Government against the tribal people is unacceptable and condemned.
Meanwhile, the Senapati District NPF division has also appealed to the people to extend maximum support during the agitation.
Endorsing the said bandh, Soni Mathew, president of NPF Senapati division and Kennedy Shomai, youth president have categorically stated that any movement of vehicle both local and inter-State (private/commercial) will be restricted.
Exemptions and restrictions during the bandh will be as per the NPF Manipur State's announcement to the public through the media.
In Ukhrul district too, the NPF has left no stones untured to make it effective, reports Mungchan Zimik.
Towards effective enforcement of the bandh, the NPF held a meeting with the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) during which the TNL assured to extend maximum co-operation.
The TNL also assured to convene a special meeting with other organisations to enforce the bandh effectively in Ukhrul district.
According to general secretary of NPF, Ukhrul division, Yangmi, apart from social organisations assuring to extend support and co-operation to the bandh call, political parties like the BJP have expressed solidarity with the NPF, supporting the issue.
Publicity drive at all localities and roads of Ukhrul town was conducted on the eve of the bandh today.
To ensure maximum impact of the bandh, NPF supporters have been directed to strictly monitor all the stragetic areas and deploy their men on all the roads.
During the bandh there will be a ban on the movement of all inter-district vehicles, markets and offices will be shut and a strict check will be kept on schools too.
The NPF has also appealed to the public to support the bandh as it is a common issue of the tribals of Manipur.
Essential services including electricity, water supply, and medical will be exempted from the purview of the bandh.
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