IMPHAL, Dec 26 NNN: The 72-hour bandh to be effected from midnight of December 26 in all the ‘Naga areas’ called by United Naga Council (UNC) in protest against the alleged ‘communal attacks’ has been endorsed by Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) and Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur (ZSUM).
“This right time decision taken by the UNC in the present situation will send out loud and clear message and prove that Nagas are peace loving people. ZYF-ZSUM will strictly enforce the said bandh in Tamenglong district and other areas where Zeliangrong people reside to tell the world that we condemn the attacks on Nagas,” the ZYF and ZSUM said.
According to the ZYF and ZSUM, the bandh enforcers and supporters of Film Forum Manipur (FFM), Shumang Leela Council and various civil society organizations have not only inflicted irreparable damages to the already socially divided society but compounded division in all respects by their demonstration of attacks on tribal communities on the pretext and taking advantage of Chandel incident.
Large groups of people consisting of women with their babies on their back, aged persons, students, children who were on foot to cross the valley portion stretching more than 20km were harassed and some of them got beaten up while some were not allowed after having walked for more than half of the distance. Vehicles carrying sick persons were destroyed and burnt down. The annual plan of every family eagerly waiting and longing to atleast celebrate Christmas together with their near and dear ones staying in different places has been completely spoiled and the festive spirit dampened by the bandh as most of the people failed to reach their respective home, therefore, relaxation or continuation of strike does not make any difference now,” the ZYF and ZSUM added.
Both the organisations then said the Zeliangrong people strongly condemned the ‘primitive’ acts and activities of the strikers.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/zyf-to-support-unc-bandh/