By Okram Bimol
IMPHAL, December 24: The confusion following an earlier call for suspension of the ongoing indefinite bandh in the evening of December 23rd and a counter imposition of the bandh in the early hours of the morning today left many people stranded in various parts of Imphal today. Cutting across community lines, people belonging to the valley districts but living in rent in Imphal and people belonging to hill districts who had set out for Christmas shopping in Imphal were left stranded when trouble broke out unabated on the streets of Imphal.
Many people could be seen walking in groups or alone, bundling up their possessions and carrying them for long distances. This IFP followed some people who were seen walking with their belongings towards the Secretariat area and discovered that the Bengali High School campus was nbeing turend into a short term shelter place for people who were stranded at Imphal and who needed to head towards other districts.
Some of the people huddled in the school compound agreed to talk to IFP on the grounds that their real names be kept confidential. One such person rued, “I personally feel that the one responsible for what happend at Chandel is the one who is least bothered now but it is everyone else who is suffering. When we heard that the bandh was being relaxed for Christmas, I came to Imphal by the first bus so I could do some shopping here but now, I am caught along with all the others here. I have had nothing to eat since morning.”
Most of the people came walking from wherever they were stranded to reach Bengali High School after getting information through their friends and family members.
Another individual who got stranded with his entire family in Imphal today said, “We were very happy on hearing about the bandh being relaxed and all of us decided to come to Imphal to buy new clothes for the children. Bandhs during festivals should not be encouraged at all and is not fair to those who celebrate it with much joy. We support the demand for justice but what justice is there in curtailing us from observing our faith?”
A woman from Kakching Lamkhai, said, “As a woman, I feel for the plight of Momoko but because of the bandh, many more people are stranded here without any idea of when we will reach our homes: many women, children, young and old would have gathered at home for the Christmas celebrations but we are so far from home right now.”
Towards the evening Moirangthem Oken, Minister Consumer Affair and Food Public Distribution, and DK Korugnthang, MLA Chandel arrived at Bengali High School and took alternative steps to ensure that the stranded people reached their homes. Three low floor bus, and other public buses were pressed into service to drop them home safely by providing police cover.
Ironically enough, a business representative from New Delhi who was visiting Imphal for the very first time was also caught up in the confusion and chaos. “There are protests happening in Delhi right now but they still have public transport on the streets. This is just so different,” he said as he tried to figure out a way to reach Churachandpur.