Imphal, March 23: Irate Samaram residents under Thoubal district today blocked vehicular traffic at Samaram Lamkhai to protest alleged arrest of innocent persons in connection with a killing and has imposed Thoubal district bandh from 5 am tomorrow even as several other organizations have threatened to launch agitations to decry State Government callousness.

In connection with the recovery of the body of one Lourembam Chaoba Singh from Khongjom Kheba Ching on March 9, two suspects identified as Naorem Sanjoy Singh and Ch Amumacha Singh of Samaram Mamang Leikai were detained by Thoubal Police station personnel.

However, Samaram residents claiming that both the arrested persons are innocent had demanded their immediate release to concerned authorities but as the pleas failed to evoke positive response the agitation was launched from today.

During the blockade period all types of vehicle plying along the NH-39 were barred from passing through Samaram Lamkhai and effigies of top officials of Thoubal police burnt.

Bandh ultimatum: Representatives of All Manipur district Council Teachers Association and Employees Union has submitted an ultimatum to the Chief Minister demanding post retirement pension benefits to the employees within march this year failing which the body will impose an indefinite state wide bandh from April 14 and refrain from duty during the upcoming Lok sabha polls, said a press release.

Project protest (NNN): The Mapithel Dam-Thoubal River Valley Multipurpose Project Affected Villages Committee (MDTVM- PAVC) has threatened to launch a series of agitation as the Govt.has failed to fulfill the 1993 Agreement signed with regard to payment of compensation.

In a statement made available to Newmai News Network, the committee said that the displaced villagers and all the affected people would start launching series of agitation until their demands are met.

Chronicling the past events, the committee said that in 1976 the IFCD, Govt.of Manipur had submitted a survey report and proposal for the construction of Mapithel Dam to the Central Water Commission, Govt of India and that the Planning Commission of India had given its approval in 1980 for the construction of the Dam.

The committee stated that the Govt had started its investigation and survey works without the knowledge of the villagers in the area.

It added that the disappointed villagers of the area started agitating resulting in Govt agencies resorting to strong actions against those agitators including torture and detention after arresting them.

The committee also stated that in June 19, 1993 the affected villagers and the Govt.signed an agreement wherein the Govt.agreed to pay compensations to the affected villagers within two years adding that the Govt.should also construct houses for those affected villagers as per agreement of the 1993 but till now nothing of that sort had been done by the Govt for those affected villagers.

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