Bandh affects life in Kolasib,students demand high school

Aizawl, May 22(UNI) A district-wide indefinite total bandh in Kolasib, which started today, mildly affected life in the district capital, including vehicular traffic on NH 54, the state's sole lifeline.

However, the bandh called by Kolasib district Mizo Zirlai Pawl (state's largest students' body), to put pressure on the demand for a government higher secondary school for the district, as promised by Chief Minister Zoramthanga, was not cent per cent successful, Kolasib Additional SP Lalremmuana told UNI over the phone.

Fourteen student activists had been arrested, the official said.

Most shops in Kolasib remained open, while vehicles also plied safely, he added.

Earlier, the students' body planned to organise a total bandh on May 2, but was suspended, following local MLA K Lalrinliana's assurance to ensure its discussion in the next Cabinet meeting.

He had requested them to wait for the result till May 17.

''However, the scheduled date has passed and there has been no positive response from the government and neither has the MLA resigned as promised,'' the student leaders said.

Meanwhile, National Trade Union of Mizoram is gearing up to organise a state-wide dawn-to-dusk bandh on Thursday, demanding regularisation of muster roll employees in different departments.

UNI ZS LL/src1639