Manipur: Bandh called despite govt warning

Imphal, Aug 23: Large numbers of organisations have decided to call blockades and bandhs despite the Manipur government's warning to take legal action against all those responsible for such agitations in the state.

The All Colleges Tribal Students' Organisation, Manipur (ACTSOM) here today stated that it would call a 24-hour statewide bandh on August 27 to protest the alleged harassment of its members by some MLAs recently.

Meanwhile, the Kuki Students' Organisation-Sadar Hills (KSO-SH) and the Senapati District Students Association (SDSA) have decided to impose restrictions on the transporters of the Manipur PWD, plying along National Highway 39, for indefinite period from August 25 to demand repair of the highway.

Concerned with the rise in economic blockades and bandhs in Manipur, the state government had decided to take action against the agitators.

The state Cabinet discussed the matter in a meeting, chaired by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, and decided to enforce the directive of the Supreme Court to take legal action and recover economic losses from the organisers of the bandhs or blockades.

Youth Affairs and Sports Minister N Biren, giving details of the Cabinet meeting, said issues should be resolved across the table through talks and dialogue.

He also appealed to the general public not to call blockades or bandhs as it disrupted life and caused immense hardships.

The Cabinet noted that about Rs 1319.96 crores had been lost since 2004 due to bandhs and blockades, the minister added.

UNI