CHANDEL, September 13: The Commitee on Protection of Tribal Rights Chandel district (CoPoTR) agitation demanding withdrawal of the government`™s September 11 notification to re-conduct sitting of ADC Members for election of Chairman in Imphal entered second day today.
The second day began with a 12 hours total bandh from 6 am of today with large numbers of bandh supporters blocking the Imphal-Moreh road at Lamkang Khunou, Pallel-Chandel District Headquarters road at Liwachangning and Chandel DC Lamkhai by burning tyres and piling woods.
Vehicular movement along section of NH-102C (Pallel `“Chandel), NH 102 (Pallel Moreh) and Chandel-Chakpikarong road came to a grinding halt since 6 in the morning due to the bandh.
The district headquarters town Japhou Bazaar looked totally deserted.
Speaking to media persons, Wng. Kohring Victor, Chairman of CoPoTR Chandel District said that the bandh was imposed in continuation of the protest demanding withdrawal of the government`™s notification of September 11 to conduct sitting of ADC Members for election of ADC Chairman.
The bandh will remain enforced along the Imphal – Moreh road till tomorrow even after the 12- hr bandh ended by 6 pm today, he declared.
In compliance with the government`™s order, the election for electing the Chairman of Chandel ADC was conducted on September 9 in the presence of Chief Executive Officer, ADC Chandel therefore status quo of the sitting of September must be maintained, he asserted.
He further said that a sit-in-protest was also held yesterday at District Headquarters against the government`™s notification.
While demanding `status quo` of the election of ADC Chairman held on September 9 and immediate withdrawal of the notification, Kohring Victor warned that the committee will continue and intensify our agitation, if the state government fails to withdraw the notification for re-electing ADC Chairman which was scheduled to be held on September 14.
Alleging that the government is playing divide and rule policy among the tribal in the name of development and formation of ADC to function, he demanded immediate withdrawal of the notification to avoid undesirable consequences and unrest in the district.
While announcing endorsement of the peace rally organised by CNPO as well as ANSAM demands of not to go ahead with recruitment process, the Chairman of CoPoTR appealed to all the 24 elected ADC Members to re-introspect for unity of the tribal and stay away from the rules of the Congress government which is responsible for committing blunders that has led to bloodsheds and loss of tribal lives.
Unity of all the 24 elected ADC Members is the need of the hour to save the rights of tribal in the district from further damage in future, he added.
There were no reports of any untoward incidents till the time of filing this report.