48-hour Senapati bandh gains endorsement

IMPHAL: Sadar Hills Chiefs Association (SAHILCA) decided to endorse the 48-hour Senapati district bandh.
The Kuki Inpi Saikul Gamkai (KSSG) and Saikul Area Naga Peoples’ Organisations (SANPO) sponsored 48 hours Senapati district bandh will begin from midnight on October 14 to register their resentment against the alleged negligence of the state government of Manipur towards their demands made through a memorandum submitted on September 25 for the immediate cancellation of Home department’s notification of June 14, 2011.
Another of their demands is to withdraw all the villages of Saikul sub-division included in the police stations of Imphal East district regarding the Police district boundaries and police stations under the jurisdiction of Saikul Sub-Division.
SAHILCA accused the Manipur government of trying to play-out its hidden agenda through such distorted police boundaries. The chiefs’ body also accused the state government of attempting to encroach the tribals’ lands.
“We will fight tooth and nail regarding this by supporting the 48-hour bandh,” SAHILCA stated on Saturday.
Earlier, KISG and SANPO had demanded for the inclusion of Maphou Dam police station and Purum Likli police station (under construction) under the administrative jurisdiction of Senapati district police.
They further demanded the opening of police stations and outposts in all strategic areas, if needed under Senapati police station.
Finally, they also asked not to disturb the existing original district and subdivisional boundaries in the name of security and law and order.
These demands were placed before placed before the deputy chief minister of Manipur today by the two organisations on behalf of the village chiefs, headmen and the general public of the area.
Leaders of KISG and SANPO had said their demands should be met by September 30 or else they will consult with the other civil bodies of the area and resort to stern form of agitation.
They then alleged that it is the covert policy of the state government of Manipur to allow the valley district administrations to ‘intrude or encroach’ in the hill districts.
KISG and SANPO then asked whether the state government of Manipur exists exclusively for the welfare of the valley districts.
They then asked that parallel policies and programmes should be adopted for both the valley and the hill districts if the state government genuinely has concern for the security of the people.
The tribal bodies appealed to all the social organizations and public to co operate with the bandh and make it effective.
They also urged that if the Government still continues to overlook the matter, then, several forms of other agitations like intense general strikes and blockades will follow.
Whatever consequences should be borne by the Government, the organisations said. (NNN)