IMPHAL, January 30: The indefinite bandh imposed by the Tengnoupal village authority along the Imphal-Moreh highway has seriously affected normal traffic flow along highway. The bandh commenced from midnight yesterday in protest against the prohibition imposed on civilian movement on January 29 by 42 Assam.
As a result of the bandh, the Indo-Myanmar border trade, which has a daily business transaction of over crores of rupee was also affected by the bandh. Bandh supporters also prohibited the Vehicles and personnel of the Assam Rifles during the bandh, informed a source.
At the same time, over hundreds of vehicles are reportedly stranded at Moreh border town.
Bandh supporters also blocked the highway at Tengnoupal bazaar by piling up burning tyres, tree branches etc.
Local womenfolk also staged a sit in protest in the middle of the highway displaying placards and banners which reads, `Tengnoupal is not battlefield`, `24 AR is not the friends of the hill people`, `Down with Assam Rifles` etc.
The womenfolk also chanted slogans saying `Go back 24 Assam Rifles`.
Meanwhile, Tengnoupal MLA DK Korungthang also arrived at the bandh epicentre to take stock of the situation.
Speaking to media persons, the MLA divulged that he will appraise the matter to the Chief Minister and Home minister.
Although no agreement could be arrived at between the bandh supporters and the MLA for suspending the bandh, some stranded vehicles coming Moreh side including AR vehicles were allowed to proceed following a request from the MLA, sources said.
Speaking to the media persons, one of the bandh supporters said that some of the villagers including a pregnant woman and a paralyzed BP patient who were going for health check-ups were detained and prohibited to proceed at around 5.30 pm yesterday by the 24 Assam Rifles at Sita Lamkhai Check point and made them to proceed on foot for a distance of more than 2 kilometers.
She further said that villagers of Tengnoupal and its surrounding villages are not allowed to proceed back to their village after 6 pm by the Assam Rifles which is a direct deprivation of the villagers fundamental rights, she added.
While appealing for the removal of the Assam Rifles and their check post at Sita Lamkhai, the Women Leader warned that the villagers of Tengnoupal will intensify our agitation until and unless the Assam Rifles were removed.
Meanwhile, receiving reports of detention of villagers by the AR posted at Tengnoupal, a team of the Kuki Students`™ Organisation, Chandel led by its president and accompanied by media persons visited Tengnoupal.
Speaking to media persons, president of the student body Doumang Haokip said that the act of detaining and prohibiting villagers of Tengnoupal Village including a pregnant woman and BP patient to proceed to their village by the 24 Assam Rifles is not only condemnable but is also a gross violation of fundamental rights.
While endorsing the ongoing agitation of the Villagers of Tengnoupal Village, KSO President also appealed all individuals and other civil organizations to co-operate and endorse the indefinite bandh which was called against the action of the Assam Rifles.
Meanwhile, All Tribal Women Organization Chandel District and Chingtam Nupi Apunba Lup, Pallel strongly condemned the act of Assam Rifles for depriving the rights of the villagers and also expressed to extend its support the ongoing agitation of the villagers, sources said.
