Source: The Sangai Express / Addie Chiphang
Ukhrul, October 19 2009:
The twelve hours chakka bandh called by the Indigenous Democratic Front (IDF) paralysed normal live in Ukhul district today.
During the bandh which ended at 6pm, there was no passnger bus service and all the goods carriers remained off the roads.
Because of the chakka bandh, the district was starved off news papers as the vehicles carrying the news papers did not turn up at Ukhrul.
However, there is no report of any untoward incident during the 12 hours chaka bandh.
Talking with The sangai Express vice president in charge of Ukhrul district IDF Sony Zimik said that Government of India enacted District Council Act (ADC) in 1971 with a view to usher in democracy at grassroots level and to ensure development in rural areas in sync with urban areas.
But it was not so as the Government of Manipur including the hill MLAs kept on delaying ADC polls for the last 20 years.
Sony further maintained that the IDF is an organization that reaches out to grassroots level and was formed by leaders and intellectuals from all the five hill districts of Manipur.
It has been continuously pressurizing the State Govt for holding ADC polls.
It also appealed the public not to misunderstand the issue as that of IDF alone.
Calling for broader sense to prevail for it is for the interest of all the people that the IDF has taken up the issues, it appealled for co-operation from all the right thinking citizens so that ADC election polls are held at the earliest.
This was the third time that the IDF had undertaken agitation in all the hill districts of Manipur but the Government has been only giving lip-service to hold district council election at the earliest.
But lip service alone would not quench the people, the VP added.
Meanwhile, it is reported that leaders of IDF are likely to go to Delhi to seek support from the National political leaders.
The chakka bandh called by the IDF partially affected vehicular movement on NH 53 .
A large number of vehicles could be seen going with their normal business despite the chakka bandh call.
There is no report of any untoward incident, reports our Jiribam correspondent.