IMPHAL, May 7: On receiving information that the government has decided to shift the cadres of the KYKL (MDF) presently lodged with the 20th Assam Rifles camp at Chandel Headquarter to the Khongjom area of Thoubal district, locals of Khongjom and surrounding villages in Thoubal district including from Sapam, Chingtham, Samram, Langthabal, Langathel, Tekcham have resolved to strongly stand against the decision of the Government.
Meanwhile, people of Chandel head quarter had been staging sit in protest since yesterday declaring that valley based armed cadres who had publicly announced that they have entered the `peace process` cannot be stationed at the district and should be shifted to some other place at the earliest.
People of Khongjom and the neighbouring areas on their part have declared that the cadres cannot be stationed at any place in the area and in protest blocked the Imphal Moreh highway at Khongjom bazaar today.
It is learnt that the government has decided to shift 25 cadres of the KYKL (MDF) presently lodged at Chandel as the first phase to the 15th Assam Rifles Camp at Khongjom.
On getting the information, the locals have been publicizing the issue and took up to blocking the highway since this morning.
Later on, a police team led by SDPO Yairipok K Meghachandra, Thoubal Cdo OC M Sudhirkumar, Kakching OC Joy and Khongjom OC Amumcha arrived at the spot and talked with the agitators.
The police team assured the agitators that as on now, there is no official order from the government to shift the said cadres to Khongjom and that the team will communicate to the concerned authorities about their demands following which, the road block was lifted at around 2:30pm.
A public meeting was also held at the Khongjom bazar.
An agitator attending the meeting said that the effort of the government to bring the cadres to a place like Khongjom which has several historical places is unwarranted and unfortunate since the Government has visions to develop the tourist spot of the place.