Source: The Sangai Express
Moreh, Aug 16:
Even as the indefinite bandh called by the JAC Against the Brutal Murder of Sunil Agarwal entered the fifth day today, sporadic violence broke out at the border town, prompting the district administration to clamp indefinite curfew from 10 am today.
Prior to the imposition of the curfew, JAC members and bandh supporters went on the offensive and damaged vehicles which were plying on the road.
Road side stalls and vendors were also dispersed by the bandh supporters.
With the situation still very tense, DG C Doungel and Chandel SP who have been camping at Moreh for the last few days surveyed the town today and deployed security personnel at all sensitive zones.
Additional security force have been requisitioned from Imphal and they arrived at the border town today.
A stand off erupted today at about 9.30 am when people stoned a group of bandh supporters who were out on the road to enforce the bandh.
The bandh supporters also retaliated and there was stone pelting all around for some time.
The situation was brought under control when the security personnel rushed to the site of the incident.
Shortly after this a group of incensed bandh supporters descended at the All Community Variety Market and started attacking the make shift stalls.
However elders of the town intervened and stopped the bandh supporters from inflicting further damages.
Trouble nevertheless did not end there as another group of people appeared at the scene and put on fire the goods lying scattered at the spot.
People staying nearby rushed out and managed to put out the fire.
To discuss the volatile situation and take necessary measures to pre-empt further trouble, the ADC of Moreh today convened a meeting at the Moreh IB.
DIG Range-II Chandel SP, Moreh SDPO, members of Meitei Council, Moreh and Hill Tribal Council at tended the meeting held at 3 pm.
Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting, the ADC said that "The MCM and HTC have appealed to all section of the people to ensure that the present volatile situation does not take a communal tune.
The two bodies have also strongly condemned the killing of Sunil Agarwal," and added that "appeals were also made to all concerned to see that such killing does not recur at Moreh in the future".
The MCM and the HTC were also urged to take up necessary action so that no communal tension arises out of the situation, said the ADC.
Despite the imposition of curfew, the sit-in -protest staged by the All Moreh Apunba Meira Paibi Lup continued today.
With the indefinite bandh completing five days today, Moreh resembles a ghost town and the daily wage earners and petty traders are the worst hit.
The silence maintained by the State Government-over the issue has only added to the angst of the people.




