Sadar Hills bandh suspended

 IMPHAL, May 7 – The 48-hour bandh in Sadar Hills in Manipur’s Senapati district has been suspended till May 7 evening following an agreement with the State Government.

Kuki Students’ Organisation Sadar Hills had called the bandh in protest against the firing incident in Saikul where a 17 year-old student Lalsanglen Mangte was killed on the night of May 3.

The decision to suspend the bandh was taken after a joint meeting between Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and representatives of apex bodies of the Kuki communities – Kuki Inpi, Kuki Women Union, KSO and the Joint Action Committee formed in connection with the firing incident and subsequent burning down of a police barrack.

The Chief Minister has given an assurance of looking into the demands of the JAC during the meeting, sources here said. The demands of the JAC include settling of the issue in accordance with Kuki customary laws, termination of the IRB personnel involved in the incident, removal of the IRB post attached with the Saikul Police Station, payment of compensation for the damages caused and ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the family of the student killed in the firing.

President of KSO Saikul Block Thangjalun Mate informed that the Chief Minister has given his assurance of looking into these demands. “On May 7, another round of meeting would be held and in case no conclusion is arrived at, we may be compelled to resume the suspended agitation, Mate warned”, adding that the body of Lalsanglen would not be claimed until the matter was resolved satisfactorily.