IMPHAL, May 5(NNN): The 24-hour total bandh in Ukhrul district called by Tangkhul Coordination Committee (TCC) starting midnight May 4 against the `imposition` of Autonomous District Council (ADC) Act in the hill districts of Manipur has passed off peacefully with the district headquarters wearing a relatively desolate look. The bandh has gone through despite serious warning by Manipur Naga Revolutionary Front (MNRF).
According to police source from Ukhrul, during the bandh all inter-district passenger busses and vehicles stayed off the road. In Ukhrul district headquarters very few private vehicles were seen plying and insignificant number of businesses opened their establishments.
On May 2, TCC issued a statement saying that it will impose a 24-hour bandh in Ukhrul district starting midnight May 4 in protest against the `force imposition of discarded ADC Act in the hill districts of Manipur.`
The committee was particularly miffed at the State government`™s recent decision that led to the creation of Executive Director of DRDA which has been placed under ADC Act and sought fervently that all developmental programs and schemes in Ukhrul should be implemented only through the Deputy Commissioner as was the wont.
In the meanwhile, an underground Manipur Naga Revolutionary Front (MNRF) had yesterday (May 4) issued a counter statement warning TCC to call off its proposed 24-hour bandh in Ukhrul district. `You are therefore informed to withdraw all gimmicks and dirty programs which are against the interests of the Tangkhuls or stern action will be taken up by our organization,` said the statement from MNRF.
The MNRF statement lashed out at TCC saying that its convener Jonathan Kashung and his colleagues in the committee are `sowing the satanic hatred and enmity among the Tangkhuls in the name of TCC.`
The rebel outfit further maintained that the convener and his colleagues have been `fishing and hinting for various schemes in the office of, and in connivance with, the district`™s Deputy Commissioner`¦ depriving the rights and shares of the needy persons.`