Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 25 2010:
Normal life in the three Naga dominated districts of Ukhrul, Chandel and Tamenglong remained affected today on account of the dawn-to-dusk bandh called by United Naga Council (UNC) in pursuit of its demand to expedite the ongoing centre-NSCN peace process in conformity to the agreed ground rules.
With exception to emergency and ceremonial services, no vehicle plied on the roads of these hill districts while traders downed their shutters.
Talking to this reporter, Ashinpu Gangmei, an important member representing Zeliangrong community in the Committee for 'Alternative Arrangement, said that all major business establishments in Tamenglong district headquarters remained closed and the town streets looked deserted with people remaining indoor.
Naga people's collective response to the bandh, has shown that they want peace and a separate administrative arrangement of their own, he added.
Addie Chiphang adds from Ukhrul: The dawn to dusk bandh called by UNC evoked total response with roads and market places in the district headquarters wearing a deserted look.
There was no Taxis, Inter-District or State bus services during the bandh period.
Government offices and institutions also remained shut.
Volunteers of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), who enforced the bandh under the directive of UNC in Ukhrul observed that it was one of the most successful bandhs.
To a query on the report that Senapati, which is exempted from the purview of the bandh, is going to organise a mass rally tomorrow on the same issue, sources in TNL explained that though the bandh was enforced in the three Naga dominated districts of Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel simultaneously Senapati/Tehamzan was exempted due to some unavoidable circumstances.