Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jun 07:
Even as an agreement has been reached with the State Government resulting in calling-off the indefinite bandh from Thoubal area along the National Highway-39 there is no sign of let-up in the economic blockade on the same highway in between Imphal to Dimapur which began since yesterday.
In a late evening development, Chandel district based organisations have announced clamping of indefinite bandh from Mao till Moreh with effect from June 8 midnight to protest alleged loot and excesses committed by Thoubal police commandos on May 31 at H Kotlenphai village of Chandel district besides condemning 'manufactured' clarification on the particular incident.
The indefinite ImphalMoreh road bandh imposed by some Thoubal Haokha bodies, which began since yesterday morning, has been called off following assurance from the Chief Minister in a meeting with representatives of the bandh sponsors today.
The CM is informed to have assured a new transformer to resume power supply to the consumers of Thoubal Haokha areas who have been reeling under darkness since April 30 (2006) after the old transformer had fused/blasted.
As repairing of the defunct one would require about 20 days the CM assured the representatives for a new replacement, added informed source.
It may be recalled that the bandh was enforced yesterday after ultimatum served by several organisations of Haokha areas to repair the same within June 5 failed to evoke positive response from the Government until today's assurance from the CM.
On the otherhand, over 70 goods-laden trucks have been stranded beyond Mao gate on the Nagaland side along NH-39 due to the economic blockade imposed by Senapati District Students' Association since midnight of June 6.The student body is demanding replacement of non-locals with local candidates for the post of teachers under North Autonomous District Council, Senapati.
Meanwhile, the bandh call in connection with the Kotlenphai incident has been jointly sponsored by All tribal Women's Organisation, Kuki Students' Organisation (Molnoi Block) and Kuki Women's Human Right, Chandel.
In a joint statement issued today, the Chandel bodies categorically rejected denial by the Thoubal SP regarding involvement of police commandos in the loot and excesses slur levelled by the bodies.
Terming the SP's version as cover-up exercise, they demanded that higher authorities look into the matter and initiate appropriate action to redress grievances of the victim family namely Thangkhopao Haokip.
Mentioning that neither ATWO, KSO and KWHR nor Thangkhopao are involved in any illegal activities, the statement demanded further clarification from the SP as to whether 'exposing crime committed by the Thoubal is illegal.
If so, we are ready to surrender voluntarily'.
Asserting that they do not intent to defame good morale or properly mannered guardians of law and order but could never tolerate misconducts under cover of uniform the bodies asked the SP to strive for deliverance of prompt justice rather than siding with errant security personnel.
They also accused the police of extracting signature in blank paper; absence of local evidence during the May 30 raid; demanded identity to whom the claimed seizure memo was issued; accused police of seizing camera from unknown source and linking the same gadget to someone who has no idea; apart from questioning delayed clarification.