Agitations, bridge collapse corner Manipur

IMPHAL, Dec 19 : Inspite of the agitating Naga People’s Organisation (NPO) announcing exemption of certain type of vehicles from the purview of its ongoing agitation, bandhs along the National Highways, impending threat of enforcing similar form of protest and collapse of a bridge on the Imphal-Jiribam route are likely to cause great hardships to the people.

The indefinite bandh called along the Imphal-Dimapur Road since 6 pm today by the JAC against killing of Maharabam Rajen seriously affected movement of goods carriers along this route today.

Since early morning, a large number of womenfolk from Sekmai area came out to enforce the bandh along with burning tyres, scattering broken glass shards and placing boulders to prevent movement of vehicular traffic on the road.

Bandh supports also targeted vehicles coming along in defiance of the bandh call forcing the police to lathi-charge and fire tear gas canisters. Afterwards, the vehicles were escorted by the police.

JAC president Angom Shanti Devi has stated that the bandh would continue until an agreement has been brought about with the Government. Vehicles coming in defiance of the bandh should themselves bear the respo-nsibility for the destruction caused, she added.

On the other hand, inspite of presence of police escort, suspected supporters of the NPO-sponsored bandh pelted stones on an Imphal bound passenger bus (MN-01/1653) of the Royal Rajdhani Travels coming from Dimapur at around 8 am today.

Though none of the passenger suffered any injuries in the attack, the wind shields of the bus have been destroyed. NPO has called the indefinite bandh along the National Highway 39 demanding transfer of Deputy Commission of Senapati district Nidhi Kesherwani (IAS).

The NPO said it would exempt students studying outside the State and coming for holidays and Christmas festival, sportspersons particularly for the preparation of National Games and various State level functions outside the State and inter-State bus services from the purview of the agitation with effect from midnight of December 18.

NPO said that cutting off of Senapati district from the rest of the State is a continual process of the reaffir- mation taken with the tribal presidents on June 24.

Saying that the ongoing agitation is a follow-up action and strategy that has been planned by the executive committee of NPO, the organisation said it would continue with the agitation till the DC moves herself out voluntarily or is transferred by the State Government.

Meanwhile, All Manipur Road Transport Drivers’ and Motor Workers Union urged the State Government to bring a solution with the bandh supporters to ensure smooth celebration of the ensuing Christmas festival and Drivers’ Day which is to be observed on January 14, next.

The union also informed that traffic flow along NH-53 is on complete halt as a cement loaded truck is stuck on a bailey bridge at Shanti Khunou. The union urged the concerned authority to take up actions immediately to restore the normal movements of vehicles. The weight of the loaded vehicles had also resulted in collapse/damage to a portion of the bridge.

on the otherhand, peeved with the failure of the State Government to give their due positions even after completion of training, the Joint Action Committee of Trained Special Police Officers have decided to launch strike from December 20.

A press release issued by the JAC asserted that the State Government has let down and demoralised SPOs by not assigning their specific positions even after six months of training although they were reportedly told earlier that their training course was for only one month.

Informing that they have been training in using different weapons like 303 rifles, Canada rifles, SLR, Sten carbine, AK 47, AK 56 , INSAS, LMG, two inch mortar, 9 mm pistol, bayonet fighting, grenade etc, the JAC decried the act of confining them to the training centre on the pretext of incomplete barracks.

In case the Government remains indifferent to their woes even after the strike, the SPOs may find a way out on their own, the JAC cautioned.