IMPHAL, March 15 (Newmai News Network): The militant outfit United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA) has announced to impose an “indefinite bandh” along the National Highway 53 (Imphal-Jiribam road) from 6 am of March 17 over the detention of one of its cadres by the security forces on March 13.
“We take seriously the detention of our cadre by the security forces and we strongly condemn such act,” UTLA chairman SK Thadou said in a statement on Thursday.
The police are attempting to spread undesirable propaganda by arresting one of its cadres, Lalmingou alias Gogou, 18 of Moreh in Chandel district of Manipur, the outfit’s chairman said.
The strike will remain enforced until and unless the demand for unconditional release of Lalmingou is fulfilled, he added.
He also appealed to the people to extend cooperation to the outfit and warned that they (UTLA) would not own responsibility for any untoward incident that occurs during the indefinite bandh on the National Highway.
Notably, self-styled private Lalmingou was reportedly apprehended by a combined team of 22 Assam Rifles and Imphal east police commandos on March 13 from Paithol along National Highway 53 about 30 km from Jiribam town.
Last year, on October 27, altogether 45 cadres hailing from UTLA laid down arms before Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh at the 1st Manipur Rifles Banquet Hall.