Imphal, December 19 2008: Commuters faced severe inconveniences as suspected bandh supporters pelted stones at vehicles, particularly passenger carriers at Sekmai area today forcing security force personnel to fire tear gas and rubber bullet to control the situation.

On the otherhand, with the Naga people's Organisation (NPO) observing bandh at Senapati district where suspected bandh supporters targeted a passenger bus yesterday security measures have been tightened to thwart violent attempts.

On the second day of the indefinite bandh call being enforced by the JAC formed against the killing of one Maharabam Rajen of Sekmai Khunou Mathak Leikai protestors set ablaze tyres and other inflammable items at various points of the National Highway 39 stretch to prevent plying of vehicles.

With the bandh supporters barricading the vital route Sekmai police station personnel and Imphal West district commandos had a torrid time in dispersing the agitators and clearing the road of debris.

In the wake of gunning down of M Rajen at his own courtyard on December 13 night the JAC was formed and a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister demanding that the State authorities nail and punish the assailants.

According to sources, with the intention of discouraging transporters from plying past Sekmai areas the bandh supporters splashed motor lubricants from early morning at various pockets including at Sekmai Bazar, Koujengleima, Pangaltabi, Nongthongband and Kanglatongbi areas besides setting afire tyres and wastes.

As preventive measures, the security teams also stopped several passenger carriers coming towards Imphal as well as those heading out of the State capital and escorted the passengers across the bandh enforced section on foot.

Inspite of the security steps bandh supporters rushed out of their hiding places and pelted stones thereby inflicting damage to windshields of some vehicles that drove close to the affected zone.

Strong vigil is being maintained by personnel of Sekmai police station and women police.

There is no report of any injury.

At senapati district, where the bandh is being enforced to demand removal of the Deputy Commissioner, the district police have reportedly taken appropriate steps to apprehend those involved in the attack of the passenger bus which was coming from Dimapur side.

While affirming that tight security measures have been taken up to thwart any attempt of disrupting normal traffic flow throughout the district, the SP (Senapati) Nishit Kumar Ujjwal conveyed that apart from escorting passenger and goods carriers past vulnerable pockets along the National Highway 39 stretch all the police stations in the district have been put on high alert.

"A manhunt has been launched to nab those who attacked the passenger bus," added the SP.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner Nidhi Kesharwani rejected the NPO's allegation of misappropriating funds meant for infrastructure development in the hill areas among other accusations.

"I'm doing my duty under the prescribed guidelines and all developmental funds are being utilised smoothly without any hurdles," the lady officer said while welcoming all concerned to visit villages and inquire the 'realities we are doing'.

My office is also open for any inquiry, she added.

Comment