Newmai News Network Imphal | August 7 Series of bandhs have been lined up in Manipur on various issues starting from August 8. In the first case, Kuki Inpi, Manipur (KIM) said it is imposing a 24-hour bandh in “Kuki inhabited areas” of Manipur from 6:00 am of August 8 in protest against the alleged failure of the Government of India to settle the alleged case of “genocide” by the NSCN (IM) on the Kuki people. KIM said that “any settlement with the Nagas without recognizing Kuki identity, territory and political right for self governance can never solve the political problems of Manipur”. Meanwhile, All Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur (ATSUM), All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), and Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) have announced to impose 48-hour bandh in all the hill districts of Manipur from the “wee hours” of August 10 if the State Government of Manipur and the agitating organisations demanding the removal of AP Pandey, Vice Chancellor of Manipur University fail to bring back normalcy in the university within two days’ time. The three tribal student bodies expressed concerns that thousands of students have been affected by the prolonging impasse of the Manipur University. They further stated that activities in the colleges affiliated to Manipur University have also been severely affected by the impasse. The demand for the removal of Prof AP Pandey as the Vice Chancellor of Manipur University began on May 30. In this regard, Manipur University Teachers’ Association (MUTA), Manipur University Students’ Union (MUSU), and Manipur University Staffs Association (MUSA) calling themselves as ‘Manipur University Community’ are on relay hunger strike. Speaking to media persons on the issue in Imphal, Joseph Hmar, who is the Tribunal General of ATSUM, said that such prolonging of the impasse will only affect the student community and nobody else. Hmar also affirmed that hampering the academic activities in an education institution like the Manipur University for such a long period is “not acceptable”. Again, various organisations in Kangpokpi area have announced to call a 36-hour bandh in their jurisdiction for the failure “to empower Kangpokpi district” by the State Government of Manipur. The bandh will begin from 6:00 am of August 9. The bandh will be imposed jointly by Kuki Student Organisation (KSO), Kuki Women Union, Zillai (Vaiphei Students’ Association), Gangte Students’ Organisation, Kangpokpi District Chief Association, Motbung Women Union, United Welfare Committee, Gorkha Students’ Union and many more other bodies.
