LAMKA, July 8: The Kuki State Demand Committee called state wide bandh was total and effective in the Thadou speaking areas of the district, barring some shops along the Vengnuam road and the upper part of Tuibuang area.Several bandh supporters were seen imposing the bandh along the main Tiddim road upto the Light House Bridge which is just about 200 meter from the CCpur PS.The bandh supporters in Tuibang and Bijang areas way laid and damaged eight motors.Several incidents were also witnessed today with the zealous volunteers not even sparing the media including this IFP correspondent who were out to cover the bandh. There were instances when bandh volunteers who were mostly drunk and aggressive threatened the media persons and asked them not to come out again.
One media person was reportedly asked by the bandh supporters for money.
A pregnant woman who was on her way to the hospital alongwith her three year old daughter and brother in law for an emergency was also stopped by some bandh supporters and made to turned back home.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the KSDC, CCPur Atong Khongsai called on the press and said the bandh and the two day economic blockade will continue as announced earlier.“The govt had given a written assurance for political dialogue but that had not been executed so far and without political solution there can be no peace’’ he said.
He further appealed to the public to respect the cause propounded by the KSDC.
The chairman also said that bandh supporters are not issuing passes but medical cases will be considered on production of proof like doctors papers etc.
For those who have examinations in Imphal, on showing their admit card, they will be allowed to go for the exam, he said.
Secy Info and Publicity, S George Guite tendered apologies for the manner in which some uncalled volunteers had accosted the pressmen and for the incident in which bandh supporters had turned down the request of a pregnant woman to be given passage.He said by the time he volunteered to take her to Imphal, she was already admitted at a private nursing home at Lamka.
Meanwhile, the bandh failed to make any impact on a section of the sub-division, from the Light House Bridge onwards and normal life continued in these areas.