IMPHAL, Jun 22: The JAC constituted against the declaration of wanted tag on JCILPS former convenor Khomdram Ratan has said that they will go ahead with the 48-hour State-wide bandh to be effective from the intervening midnight of June 22 and 23.
Speaking to reporters at Singjamei Thongkhong, JAC convenor Th Subhaschandra said that they were compelled to impose the bandh although they knew that bandh and general strikes give a huge impact to poor people, students and the economy of the State.
The bandh is a fallout of the Government’s indifferent attitude shown to the demand for revocation of the wanted tag, he said.
Declaring wanted tag on Khomdram Ratan, who has been taking a proactive role in the pro-ILPS movement, is a direct challenge to the indigenous people of the State, he observed.
Saying that people can’t remain silent now, Subhashchandra urged the public to extend support and co-operation to the bandh as the JAC’s demand has close connection with the movement for protection of indigenous people.
He said that the demands of the JAC include revocation of wanted tag on Ratan, invalidation of the FIR lodged against Ratan and implementation of ILPS.
Subhaschandra further said that people who need medical emergency, religious activities, fire service personnel and media persons would be exempted from the purview of the bandh.
Meanwhile, Thangmeiband Kendra Development Organisation (TAKDO) has pledged support to the stir.
Speaking to reporters at Thangmeiband this afternoon, TAKDO advisor Soram Bijoy said that declaration of wanted tag on Ratan before conducting proper investigation was a clear violation of democratic principles.
TAKDO feels that the Government move was a meticulous effort to suppress the people’s movement for ILPS implementation in the State.
As such, under the supervision of its chief patron and Thangmeiband AC MLA Kh Joykishan, TAKDO has decided to extend full support to the bandh.