Our Correspondent
Imphal | March 17
A 15-hour total bandh called by the United Naga Council (UNC) in all Naga-dominated districts of Manipur in support of a Churachandpur district total shutdown announced by the Churachandpur JAC as a mark of respect to nine ‘tribal martyrs’ kicked off on Thursday midnight.
The Churachandpur JAC is all set to organise a mass prayer cum release of 200 flying lanterns tomorrow as a tribute to the martyrs who were killed in violent confrontations with security forces during protest erupted after passing of three ILP Bills by Manipur Assembly on August 31, 2015.
UNC said passing of the three ‘anti-tribal’ Bills was followed by sudden spontaneous uproars by the tribals in Manipur as a culmination of the rage and resentment felt against decades of ‘subjugation, marginalisation and oppressive policies of the Government of Manipur.’
The JAC has refused to claim the nine bodies lying in the mortuary of Government Churachandpur District Hospital since they were killed in the violence.
Any organisation or individuals attempting to violate or suppress the democratic agitation will be dealt with befittingly, the council warned. It appealed to the general public to strictly adhere to the total bandh to demonstrate its solidarity to the ongoing tribal movement in Manipur.
UNC said media, fire service, medical emergency and matric examination purposes will not be covered by the purview of the stir launched as part of the 15-hour Churachandpur total shutdown.
The Churachandpur JAC informed that the mass prayer cum release of 200 lanterns will be held at YPA Hall, Lamka Public Ground where 200 pastors and church elders will also take part.
The committee is also planning to give a gun salute to the martyrs on the occasion but the district administration has opposed the idea.
The All Tribal Chiefs’ Forum, Manipur (ATCF) announced to extend full support and cooperation to the planned series of agitations by the JAC Against Anti-Tribal Bills to mark the 200th day of relentless movement for the cause of the tribal people in Manipur.
But the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Churachandpur district appealed to the JAC to review its decision to organise the function and the total shutdown stir as well.
It said such activities are not condusive to the students appearing in the Class X examination, adding the people of Churachandpur stand shoulder to shoulder to mitigate the protracted problems as long as it does not disrupt economic and educational interests of the stakeholders.
