MANIPUR CONTINUES TO SIMMER

MANIPUR: Manipur is tense and simmering, with protests continuing against the land right bills passed by the state Assembly. The non negotiable approach of Manipur government is making matters worse.

Lamka district, which has been facing unrest since August 31, after the passage of the bills in the state, took out a torch rally to register continued protest. The people in different districts of Manipur have been protesting with bands, rallies, sit-in protests demanding a separate administration for the hill tribes who are particularly angry about the legislation.

Speaking to The Citizen, editor of Lamka Post Th.Thangzalian said, “ These is something that is brewing inside. People want to be heard and they want that the issues need to be addressed. However there is no attention paid to them. Therefore these kinds of things are happening”.

There is a huge demand to withdraw the three bills and create a separate administration for the hill tribe. Meanwhile, the government adding fuel to fire, announced election of office bearers for the ongoing administration.

Protest march and slogan shouting in Chandel district has kept the police on tenterhooks since last week. A bandh was called last Friday and continued till Wednesday this week. The bandh has been called off in Chandel district late last night after an assurance of dialogue.

Large crowds blocked the Imphal-Moreh road at Lamkang Khunou, Pallel-Chandel District Headquarters road at Liwachangning and Chandel DC Lamkhai by burning tyres and piling wood.

The discontent is huge and the northeastern students in the state capital too have organised a day long dharna to draw the attention of the government towards this issue.

Sam G Nagahite, a student in the state capital who is part of this ongoing discontent about passage of bills by the state assembly supported the unrest in the state. “ The unrest comes from dissatisfaction, There are issues that has forced people to come on streets. There should be some way forward otherwise the only forward way is to register protest through various means. We want a peaceful way but to achieve that there should be some initiative need to taken by the government”, Nagahite told The Citizen.

Alleging that the government is playing divide and rule policy among the tribals in the name of development and formation smooth administration, the agitating crowds have demanded immediate action on their demands.