From Our Correspondent
KANGPOKPI | Aug 8
Kangpokpi district wore a deserted look today with the imposition of 24 hours total shutdown over the alleged encroachment of Haraothel land for construction of national sports university. The shutdown was called by civil organisations of the district.
The otherwise hectic district headquarters and the road along Asian Highway No.1, also known as NH-2 along Imphal-Dimapur road was empty without any vehicles plying and day-today activities coming to a grinding halt.
The total shutdown from 6 am of this morning till 6 am of August 9 was collectively imposed by CVOs Kangpokpi spearheaded by Kuki Students’ Organisation Sadar Hills seeking the state government’s attention for amicable solution over the controversial university site.
Unlike the past total shutdown in the district, the impact of the shutdown is being experienced by all walks of life from business sectors to educational institutions, government institutions, completely disrupting the normal life in the district.
Volunteers were seen deployed in two strategic locations at Taphou Kuki and Gamgiphai who strictly manned the highway checking the exempted vehicles. The volunteers send back those vehicles which are outside the purview of the shutdown bearing no authorised permit.
There was minimal attendance recorded in all government institution owing to the shutdown. Similar impact was also witnessed in most of the area from Taphou Kuki to Gamgiphai including Keithelmanbi, Bongmol, Leikop, Sapormeina and Motbung.
No vehicular movement has been witnessed along the National Highway. However, security force including IRB, Assam Rifles personnel were seen deployed along the road monitoring the situation.
While speaking to media persons, KSO president, Thangminlen Kipgen said, “Chief minister, N. Biren Singh once assured us when we met him on hill leaders day to seriously consider the issue and initiate for amicable solution.”
He continued that despite his assurance, the CM when he visited the university site blatantly claimed that there is no dispute and even restated his statement during the recently concluded assembly.
He further said that though disappointed with the insincerity of the chief minister the KSO repeated appealed to solve the issue and had even organised a peaceful sit-in-protest followed by today’s total shutdown to draw his attention but no response has been received.
Therefore, we collectively decided to imposed sustain shutdown from 6 am of August 11 till the state government invites us for negotiation and initiate the process for solving the dispute amicably, he added.
No untoward incident has been reported till filing of this report.
Interestingly, the shutdown has been otherwise enjoyed by children and many other peoples. Some children were seen playing in the potholes water logging along the highway, some playing cricket and others loitering along highway has been witnessed.