CHANDEL, November 21: Around 100 vehicles including passenger buses coming from other states toward Imphal were left stranded at Mao Gate bordering Nagaland due to the 48-hour bandh called by the United Naga Council (UNC) in Naga inhabited areas in the state beginning November 19 midnight.
The vehicles which left stranded in the Mao included freight trucks from Guwahati and Dimapur and Imphal bound interstate passenger buses and other passenger vehicles.
The state government promised to provide security to the vehicles plying along the national highways but could not ensure its allocation as security force had been diverted, a reliable source stated.
Chandel Tribe Hohos, Naga Chiefs’ Association Chandel, Naga Women Union Chandel and Naga Students’ Union Chandel on November 21 blocked the NH2 at Lamkang Khunou in Chandel district making the bandh a total success.
Bandh supporters including women at Lamkang Khunou make barricades and burned tyres in the middle of the road. The NH look abandoned and deserted.
Many vehicles going from Moreh to Imphal got stranded on the way due to the bandh.
According to a source, Thoubal Police commandoes on duty came to the spot trying to disperse the bandh supporters and volunteers leading to a tussle between them. In spite of the security forces trying to chase away the volunteers, the bandh supporters prevailed.
According to an eye witness an Assam Rifles escorted car trying to cross the barricade at Lamkang Khunou had a narrow escape when angry volunteers trying to storm the car was intervened by the Assam Rifles security personel.
General Secretary of CNPO BD Betha Anal while talking to media criticized the GoM for delaying the next round of tripartite talks which was supposed to be held within two months from the last 6th round of tripartite dialogue held on August 30. Stating that Alternative Arrangement outside the administration of Manipur is an aspiration for the Naga People, he expressed full support and cooperation to the UNC.