CHURACHANDPUR, March 18: The 15-hour total shutdown called by the JAC against Anti Tribal bills by the State Assembly marking the 200th day of its movement went off peacefully with all shops remaining close in Lamka town.
Public meetings were held at the New Bazar Bus parking and at Churachandpur District Hospital morgue where the bodies of the nine tribal martyrs are kept since August 31.
Shops remained closed till 3pm today during the 15-hour shutdown and a gun salute was paid by licence gun owners at 9am to honour the nine martyrs.
It is also learnt that the gun-salute was witnessed in other hill districts like Ukhrul and Senapati.
It may be mentioned that the Churachandpur DC had issued an order against the firing of licensed guns during the observation considering the law and order situation.
Today no violence was witnessed from the bandh volunteers or supporters and only calm and sober meetings were held where the government’s silence on the demands of the JAC was decried.
Later in the evening around 5, a public meeting was held at the YPA General HQ Hall at Hiangtam where homage were paid to the nine tribal martyrs and people attending the meeting led by the JAC leaders and ADC Churachandpur chairman released flying lanterns lighting up the night sky.
ADC chairman Langkhanpau Guite spoke on the occasion and said “We are not impressed with the luke warm response”. The JAC chief convenor Hauzel also echoed the same.
During the release of the lanterns, a song composed by Muanlal glorifying the nine martyrs was sung.