UCM appeals for stir suspension
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 15 2011: Highlighting that the common people have been suffering untold miseries as a consequence of the ongoing economic blockade in pursuit of the demand for upgrading Sadar Hills to a full-fledged district, the United Committee Manipur (UCM) has fervently appealed to the Jiribam District Demand Committee to suspend its proposed economic blockade.

Opining that demand for a Jiribam district is justifiable taking into account geographical isolation of the Imphal East district sub-division, the UCM in a statement issued by its Information and Public Relations secretary Kh Nilamani Kha-Nganba reiterated its appeal to the Jiribam committee to suspend the proposed blockade of National highway-37 for the highway section is the only alternative route.

Going ahead with the agitation programme will only add to the suffering of the general public who have been enduring shortage of essential commodities due to cessation of goods transportation on the National highway-2 .

With regard to the ongoing movement of Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee, the UCM observed that situation has aggravated as successive Governments of Manipur have failed to take a definite decision on the demand inspite of the issue lingering for many decades.

Noting that during the course of the Sadar hills agitation several vehicles have been damaged or burnt, roads dug out and even resulting in demise of driver in addition to the common people bearing the impact of the economic blockade, the UCM secretary held the Government responsible for all the suffering of the people.

The UCM also acknowledged that failure of the Government to find an amicable solution to the Sadar Hill issue has triggered tension compelling some section of the society to take premature steps such as pulling down and destroying goods being taken to hill areas, Nilamani said intervention by UCM volunteers managed to mollify agitated people when undesired incidents took place at Moidangpok and Nagamapal areas recently.

Moreover, UCM leaders attended a public meeting convened at Sekmai under the aegis of Advance Women Society that consequently ended in a positive manner for high tension prevailing in the Imphal West district has subsided to a certain extent, Nilamani maintained while not ruling out aggravation of the situation in case the Government continues to ignore the people's sentiment.

UCM also condemned the State Government for undermining decision and proposal of the people adopted at the Joint Leaders Meet held on August 25 and 26, which was submitted to the Chief Minister in the form of a memorandum.

Construing the September 13 notification issued by the Government fixing September 15 for the public hearing on constitution of 'Committee on Re-organisation of Administrative & Police District Boundaries' as hogwash, Nilamani suggested that agenda of the public hearing should have been made public in clear terms.

UCM also called upon all concerned to exercise maximum restrain and not to act in a hasty manner or based solely on pent-up emotion as any undesired event at this juncture will be providing fodder the Government of India's alleged design to create divisions in the society.

The need of the hour is to understand grievances of every community and work for a peaceful and amicable solution, Nilamani appealed.

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