Community groups announce strike across Zeliangrong areas

Dimapur, Aug. 12 (EMN): Various organisations have decided to launch a 24-hour strike in the Zeliangrong areas in Manipur due to the governments of India and Manipur failing to book the cadres of the NSCN-IM, who were allegedly involved in the abduction of leaders of the Zeliangrong Youth Front and Zeliangrong students. The Zeliangrong Baudi and the Zeliangrong Youth Front of Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland; and the All Zeliangrong Students’ Union (AZSU) issued a press release on Sunday. The statement said that they have decided to launch a 24-hour ‘bandh’ in the Zeliangrong areas after what was stated to be the “failure on the part of both the government of India and Manipur to comply with the demand of the Zeliangrong apex bodies.” In their joint meeting, the ZB, the ZYF, and the AZSU have decided to launch the ‘bandh’ as its first phase agitations, from the midnight of Aug. 15 till the midnight of Aug. 16. During the 24-hour strike, the National Highway 37, district highway and all national projects within the jurisdiction of Zeliangrong areas, would be within the purview of the strike, it stated. All frontal organisations of the Zeliangrong community are appraised to enforce the 24-hour strike. Schools, govt. offices, business activities, religions, medical/health, water supply, and electricity are exempted from the purview of the strike. The press release further stated that any people or organisation who violate the ‘bandh’ would be doing at own risk.