|
Manipur : Now, Kukis line up blockade |
 |
After the threat of a Naga blockade comes a Kuki one. With just a month to go for the Naga Students Federation siege of Manipur valley, the Kuki community announced last week on Nov. 10 a five-day economic blockade of all three highways of the state beginning November 15.
The Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) decided to launch the agitation under the “KSO for justice” banner to press for the punishment of police personnel responsible for the killing of three Kuki students in Imphal last year.
The blockade will form only part of the agitation. KSO information and publicity secretary Paothinthang Lupheng said rallies would be organised in all the district headquarters and at Moreh, Manipur’s border township in Chandel district.
All government offices across the state will be asked to keep their doors shut and government vehicles will not be allowed to ply. The blockade of Imphal-Kohima, Imphal-Silchar and Imphal-Aizawl highways will effectively choke supply of essential items to the state.
The government would be held responsible for any undesirable consequences during the agitation, Lupheng said. “If the government fails to find a concrete solution after the blockade, the KSO will intensify its agitation until justice is done.
Sharp reaction to another blockade threat by United Naga Council
In a related development, the United Committee of Manipur (UCM) has reacted strongly to the recent decisions taken by the United Naga Council to launch a non-cooperation movement and Naga students’ threat to re-impose the economic blockade on Manipur’s national highways.
“The decisions taken by the Naga organisations are communal and one-sided. Such decisions will fan communal tension among various communities living peacefully in Manipur and other parts of the Northeast,” Khoirom Gourashyam, secretary of the UCM, said.
The UCM, which spearheaded the 2001 upheaval for protection of Manipur’s boundary, is likely to step up the campaign against any move to break up the state.
A meeting convened by UNC last week resolved to launch a non-cooperation movement against the Okram Ibobi Singh government. Non-payment of house tax, return of red blankets presented to Naga village chiefs by government authorities, renaming of hill ranges, rivers and villages in Naga areas, rejection of government development schemes and refraining from associating with any Meitei forum or organisation would form part of the protest.
Among those who attended the meeting at Taphou village of Senapati district on November 4 were several Naga politicians. However, names of the leaders were not disclosed.
|
