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IMPHAL, December 7
One goods-laden mini truck was reportedly set ablaze by suspected bandh supporters in Tamenglong district’s Khoupum area today.
The 48-hour hill area bandh being imposed by Kuki Students’ Union (KSO) kicked-off last midnight to protest against the reported assault of the president of KSO unit of Chandel district and two village chiefs by personnel of the 24 Assam Rifles at Khudengthabi check-post along Imphal-Moreh road (National Highway 102) on December 5.
KSO sources informed Newmai News Network that the strike, backed by All Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur (ATSUM), was total in the five hill districts where bandh supporters paralysed normal life. They said movement of vehicles along Imphal-Dimapur road, Imphal-Jiribam road and Imphal-Moreh road was completely halted during the bandh.
KSO volunteers forced a convoy of the 24 Assam Rifles to turn back from H Kotlenphai village near Pallel along the NH-102. They even attacked the vehicles by pelting stones. No casualties were reported in the skirmish.
KSO is demanding action against the personnel of the 24 Assam Rifles led by a JCO and a Major, who were involved in the thrashing of one of its leaders along with two village chiefs at Khudengthabi. The trio was on their way to home after attending the funeral service of Joldam village chief at Moreh when the incident happened, according to KSO.
A loaded-DI Tata mini truck was torched by a group of suspected bandh supporters in Khoupum area around noon, reports said.
Meanwhile, sources in KSO General Headquarters said a meeting over the stalemate was likely to take place tomorrow which would be attended by representatives of the student body, Manipur government and Assam Rifles.
