Asks to address Jiribam situation within 48 hours
Newmai News Network
TAMENGLONG, APRIL 21
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur (ZSUM) has served an ultimatum to the Manipur government to address the prevailing volatile situation in Jiribam area within 48 hours time starting from the midnight of April 21 lest it would start 48 hours National Highway 37 (Imphal-Silchar road) followed by other stringent agitations.
The volatile situation in Jiribam area has been triggered by the district boundary dispute and which got worsened after the April 13 incident where a house was burnt down and assaulted some students as fallout of the district boundary dispute. One more house was allegedly burnt down on the night of April 19. The impasse involved two communities.The ZSUM said on the night of April 13, three school-going students were severely thrashed black and blue. An attempt to murder another five students were made after they were forced inside their rented room by a group of masked men. These students were locked them from outside, poured petrol and set the house on fire, alleged the ZSUM.
According to the Zeliangrong students’ body, the inhumane act clearly depicts the beastly act where every human being will not tolerate. The students’ community does not find a satisfactory reasons behind the heinous crime as to why the students should met such brutal fate, ZSUM said.
“Sources later disclosed that one of the attackers has been identified as Ph Noni, son of one Ph Gopeshore of Boroikhal village in Jiribam, also presently serving as VDF personnel attached to Jiri Police Station,” pointed out ZSUM.
It then said adding more fuel to the present impasse, some miscreants hailing from different community burnt another house belonged to Dinbui Gangmei at Lamkhai Bazar, Jiribam on the midnight of April 19. “This incident happened at the very nose of the state government but stoic silence of the former proved that it is behind the screen that instigated the flare up communal tension between the hill people and the valley people,” accused ZSUM.
Attention of the state government has been drawn by the Zeliangrong frontal organizations through media, but the state government did not initiate any action to book the attackers involved in the incidents and till date no positive sign can be seen though the Joint Action Committee (JAC) had registered FIR at the Jiri police station, the Zeliangrong student body also said.
Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur then warned that it will not hesitate to demonstrate their grievances to uphold the rights of every student irrespective of caste or creed or to the community the person belongs.
Prohibitory orders in Jiribam
The Additional Deputy Commissioner of the Jiribam has promulgated prohibitory orders in the Jiribam sub-division for maintaining peace and tranquility in public interest. The normal life in the Jiribam town has been affected in view of the ongoing unrest among the general public following certain unwanted development and subsequent public protest against police action.
“In view of the prevailing situation in the jiribam sub-division,it is appealed on behalf of the state machinery that all efforts should be made by each and every citizen of the sub-division to maintain peace and tranquility”, says Dr Harmit Singh Pahuja of the sub division in an appeal. “All concerned should also be aware of any false rumour or propaganda that may be cohered to individual/s with vested interest.”
The appeal further added that it is once again re-iterated that the help of all the citizens of the sub-division is solicited to maintain peace and harmony in the area.
