Kuki civil bodies call highways shutdown

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Nov 9

Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi district and various civil voluntary organisations have collectively called 36-hour total shutdown in highways from 6 am of November 15 till 6 pm of November 16.

Earlier, the Kuki Inpi and CVOs of Kangpokpi had served ultimatum to the state government demanding for implementation of absolute powers and functions of deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of the district especially District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) and district election officer, before November 8.

The collective decision to announce highways shutdown along National Highway-2 (Imphal- Dimapur) road and National Highway-37 (Imphal-Jiribam) road was taken during a joint meeting of the Kuki Inpi and CVOs of Kangpokpi held today at KSO Sadar Hills Administrative office building at Kangpokpi district.

The joint meeting also vehemently condemned the BJP led government and questioned the sincerity and commitment of the chief minister N. Biren Singh towards its popular ‘Go to Hills’ slogan or development hill districts.

General secretary of Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi, Lamminlun Singsit reiterated that a district without DRDA and DEO powers to the concerned DC apart from other powers and functions is something ‘tough as old boots’ as the former is the principal organ at the district level which plays a very effective role as a catalyst in development process and the latter have similar role in all election related matters.

He also said that despite of being the highest number of sub-divisions in the state, Kangpokpi district remained without a single sub-division police officer till today.

He solicited the opinion of general populace of Manipur while seeking their cooperation and support towards the legitimate demands.

President of KSO Sadar Hills, Thangminlen Kipgen said that people of Kangpokpi are restraint from any sorts of agitation but the government has compelled the people to agitate for development, which is very unfortunate and disgraceful.

He said that there will be complete ban on vehicular movement including heavy or light vehicles, private or passenger vehicles during the 36-hour total highway shutdown and any untoward incident during the stir, the government will be solely held responsible.

The total highway shutdown is a ‘final ultimatum’ to the government for implementation of the legitimate demand of Kuki Inpi and CVOs of Kangpokpi and if no response is received on the part of the government, the agitation will be more intense in the future, said Thangminlen.