SHILLONG: The Move-ment for Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Livelihood (MIPRL) has suspended its ongoing indefinite economic blockade, which had turned violent resulting in the death of two persons in East Jaintia Hills, from Saturday.
Informing this here on Saturday, the MIPRL in a statement said that another reason for suspending the agitation is upcoming Durga puja celebrations.
The vice-chairman of MIPRL Erwin Syiem Sutgna said that the decision to suspend the agitation was taken due to the fact the strike deviated from the path of non-violence.
“We deplore the loss of innocent lives and the injury to eight others. At the same time since the Puja has started, MIPRL does not want recurrence of any incident which might mar the religious festivities,” Sutgna said.
The MIPRL also made it clear that it does not support any bandh call and asked its supporters not to extend support to the October 1 bandh call given by the proscribed HNLC.
CPC’s appeal: Meanwhile, the Central Puja Committee (CPC) has appealed to HNLC to call off its 24-hour bandh since it coincides with the Durga puja celebrations.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the CPC said that the matter was discussed in a meeting of all puja committees and a decision was taken to appeal to the banned outfit to suspend the proposed bandh.
The matter also figured in the CPC’s “Get Together of Harmony”, held at Jail Road Durga Puja Mandap, attended by leaders of all faiths and religions.