Strike over SDO killing total on first day; Man dies of shock; only few vendors venture out; rally taken out in Ukhrul

IMPHAL, Feb 19 : The 48-hours general strike by the JAC against the brutal and inhuman killing of Dr. Kh Kishan, SDO Kasom Khullen and two of his subordinates completely disrupted normal life in the state today.

Although the strike was total and received support from the people of the state, especially in Imphal, during the daytime, some daily wage earners came out in the evening today to sell their goods and earn their meal for the day.

Meanwhile, a person died of BP stroke after hearing the news of the incident on the ISTV news channel. He was identified as Hidangmayum Premchandra, 49, son of late L Borthakur of Aribam Leikai in Imphal east. He is survived by four children and his wife.

The JAC and family members have not taken the dead bodies of the three deceased from the RIMS mortuary till today.

During the 48 hours general strike called by the JAC and civil organisations roads were blocked and vehicles including those of VIPs and security personnel and markets were closed, and educational institutes did not function with some destruction caused in some areas.

The general strike started today morning from 6 am and roads were blocked in almost all of greater Imphal by strike supporters in protest against the killing. Sit-in protests were also staged by Meira Paibis, clubs and organisations and a public meeting was also organised by the JAC.

A public meeting was held today morning at Yumnam Leikai attended by I Hemochandra, MLA from Singjamei; Bijoy Koijam, MLA from Thongju; K Ranjit, works minister; N Biren, IFCD minister; Radhabinod Koijam, MLA from Thangmeiband and president NCP; and RK Anand, MLA Naoriya Pakhanglakpa.

In the meeting, K Ranjit termed the killing as inhuman and beastly and said the culprits must be booked. He said the government came to know of the incident only yesterday and assured that the government would find the culprit at the earliest.

On the other hand, Hemochandra said that the incident could not be taken easily and the protest which included blocking of national highways must be taken seriously by the government and added that if a solution was not brought then a stronger protest may come up.

In the meeting, clubs, organisations, meira paibis and public from Singjamei to Heirangoithong participated and many resolutions were taken including that the DC Ukhrul district must be booked, if the DC Ukhrul district was not arrested the ruling party would be boycotted in the upcoming Lok Sabha election, and removal of the unlawful camps of the NSCN(IM) in Manipur.

Protesters of Nagamapal area including some non Manipuris destroyed some shops of Punsi Keithel at Thangal bazar during the day.

The effigies of NSCN(IM) leaders, DC Ukhrul and chief minister O Ibobi Singh were burnt in some places and three vehicles coming from Tamenglong were blocked at Tera bazar and the passenger faced problem in reaching their home on foot.

The organisations which supported the strike and places where the strike was intense were Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur, Khurai Kongpal Laishram leikai, Khurai Sajor Leikai, Khurai Thongam Leikai, Laipham Khunou Makha Leikai, Meira Paibi Apunba Lup, Chingmeirong Maning Leikai, Chingmeirong Mamang leikai, Thangmeiband Otham Leirak Leikai, Thangmeiband College Gate Apunba Leikai, Khuyathong Bazar Club and Meira Paibi, every household of Nagamapal Phaugie Sangbam Leikai, Nagamapal areas- Lamabam Leikai, Kangjabai, Laikrangbam Leikai, Chugkham Leirak, Lalambung Makhong, Meinam Leikai, Thingen Maru Meira Paibi Lup, Nagamapal RIMS Road, Nagamapal Kwai Brahmapur Leikai, Sagoband Loukhrakpam Leikai.

Around 80 persons of Sagolband Naoremthong stopped their NREGS works and joined the general strike. Other organisations who joined the strike were Naoremthong Nupi Chaokhat Thourang Apunba Nupi Lup, Uripok Polem Leikai, Uripok Ningthokhongjam Leikai, Uripok Ahanthem Leikai, Uripok Khaidem Leikai, Uripok Huidrom Leikai Nganu Leima Women Welfare Association, Sagolband Meino Leirak, Waheng Leikai, Sagolband Salam Leikai, Khagempali Bambul Mapal Women Welfare Association, Yelang Leikai, Singjamei Waikhom Leikai, Kakwa Meira paibi Nupi Lup, Singjamei Sapam Leikai, Singjamei Leishangthem Leikai, Khunai Meira Paibi Kakwa Laiphakpam Leikai, Ningomthong Sairom Leikai Women Welfare Associationn, locals of Singjamei Makha Naorem Leikai, Naorem Leikai Liwa Lambi, and Kakwa bazar.

Singjamei to Lilong United Club Organisation also blocked the roads at Canchipur and Thangapat Mapal Brahmapur Women Welfare Associationn, Brahmapur Apunba Meira Paibi Nahabam, and Kongba Bazar, Wangkhei Angom Leikai, Wangkhei Durga Puja Lampak, Angom Leikai and many other areas took part in the general strike.

In relation to the incident some vendors expressed that they strongly condemned the incident and appealed to the government to bring out the culprits as soon as possible.

They also said they strongly supported the general strike but due to their poverty were forced to earn their daily bread.

They also added that due to the sudden general strike the vegetables they had arranged for sale today would have been lost otherwise causing a greater burden for them.

Elsewhere in the state, a sit-in protest and a rally was staged today by around 1500 students and teachers of Kasom sub-division area in Ukhrul against the brutal killing of the SDO of Kasom Khullen and two other officials.

The protest rally started from Forest Gate, Kasom and went upto the SDO office where many resolutions were taken after a public meeting.

In the rally placards with slogans like, "We want peace not war", "Who killed SDO and staff, we hate the miscreant", "We strongly condemn the killing of SDO and staffs" were carried and slogans demanding the reasons for the killing and release of the remaining officials were raised.

In the public meeting many senior leaders condemned the killing and said that even if the persons were guilty a chance should have been given to correct themselves.

He also added that the newly posted SDO worked for the people and many development works were taken up by him.

The meeting also resolved to continue with the protests till the culprits and the three missing officials were produced.

Other resolutions included release of the three officials on humanitarian grounds, judicial inquiry into the killing, appropriate ex-gratia and a government job to the victims` family, and an end to such inhuman acts on department staff and innocent people of the sub-division.

It also decided to take up various forms of protests and agitations under the Kasom Khullen Sub Division Development Organisation.