Hnahthial gives breather to blockade

Aizawl, Jun 6 (UNI) The Hnahthial District Demand Committee (HDDC) has decided to give a breather to the five-day-old economic blockade on NH 54.

Talking to UNI here, HDDC sources said, '' We will temporarily lift the roadblock from 12 P M tonight. However, we will resume it anytime depending on the developments. This does not mean that we call it a day. We will fight till the end to meet our demand. We may resort to more aggressive means. Even as the government has made it crystal clear that creation of any new district is impossible as of now. '' The decision to lift the blockade came after various NGOs of the three southern districts of Lunglei, Lawngtlai and Saiha, affected by the blockade, voiced strong opposition to it.

Meanwhile, Hnahthial police had registered ten cases in connection with Hnahthial's series of agitations demanding a district status. The first case was filed against a blast, which occurred inside Hnahthial SDO office during a total bandh, called by the HDDC around 1100hrs on April 16, 2008, according to police here.

Five other similar cases had been registered under the Explosive Substances Act, including the alleged extortion of more than ten boxes of gelatin from the Hnahthial-based Border Road Task Force around 1930 hrs on June three last.

There were five blast incidents during the agitation none of which, however, caused major damage, police said.

The other cases registered under IPC included the burning of foodgrains meant for distribution on April 16, burning of a Mahindra pick-up of a construction company and a subsequent assault of its drivers and workers, detainment of two police constables and damage of their bike by bandh volunteers on June three and the burning of a bike on June four.

UNI ZS SJC PD HT1924