IMPHAL, February 1: The bandh imposed along Imphal-Moreh road continues for the third day today as talks between the State government and bandh supporters failed to break the ice.
The agitation is gaining momentum with many other organizations extending support.
A representative of KSO Tengnoupal block speaking over the phone informed IFP that the agitation will be further intensified as the talk with the State government today was unfruitful.
A meeting was held today at around 3 pm at the Chief Ministers`™ office with the CM Okram Ibobi, Deputy CM Gaikhangam, Tengnoupal MLA Kaungthang, Chandel ADC Sesei Jou and representatives of KSO Tengnoupal block, KSO Chandel District, Tengnoupal Women Human Right Organisation and other villagers.
The KSO Tengnoupal Block representative said that they were hoping that the State government would take up some action in the interest of the public after hearing the grievances faced by the people of Tengnoupal after the 24 Assam Rifles has been posted in the area.
Instead, the Chief Minister asked us to relax the bandh and wait till February 4 and said the State government representative will talk to concern paramilitary officials to look into the matter, the representative said.
But the people of Tengnoupal stuck to their demand of complete removal of 24 Assam Rifles from Chandel district without any further delay, he said.
The tolerance level for the people is over. The frequent torture and harassment in broad daylight as well as in the night in the name of security checking is not acceptable at all, he said.
The agitation will continue and will be intensified, he added.
The decision to continue with the agitation was taken at a meeting held at Langol in the presence of KSO representatives, bandh supporters and other organizations, he informed.
He mentioned that various organisations in Chandel District are also ready to support the agitation and willinformed more in details who will support them after reaching Chandel.
Meanwhile, the Committee on Human Rights (COHR), Manipur; Meetei Council Moreh and Janata Dal (United), Youth Front, Manipur State, in separate releases extended their support to the ongoing bandh demanding ouster of AR from Chandel district.
Women Action for Development in a press release has also said that it strongly condemned the inhumane act of the Assam Rifles posted in the Imphal-Moreh section of NH-102 at Tengnoupal.
It has been reported that `a pregnant woman and a paralyzed BP stroke patient who were on their way for a health check up were not only detained and prohibited but were made to proceed on foot for a distance of more than 2 kms by the 24 AR at Sita Lamkhai Check point,` it said.
`The officer in command should be brought under trail under the rule of law. If the Government of India fails to do so then Assam Rifles should go back from Manipur,` it added.