Bandh disrupts normal life in Senapati
Protestors block National Highway-2 in Senapati and burn tyres after a bandh imposed by the people of the district on March 19. (NNN Photo)
Newmai News Network
Senapati | March 19
Normal vehicular movements along the National Highway-2 in Senapati district was severely disturbed on Thursday afternoon owing to a bandh imposed by the people of Senapati district. The bandh also severely affected normal activities in Senapati town and beyond.
The people imposed the bandh demanding immediate release of five cadres of NSCN-IM arrested by troops of Assam Rifles on Wednesday from Paomata area of Senapati district.
The bandh began at 12 noon and ended at around 5 pm.
The bandh was suspended after the five cadres of the NSCN-IM were released on bail after producing in a court in Imphal on Thursday.
The five arrested NSCN-IM cadres have been identified as 'Pvt Ninghsang Maluk, Lt.Col. V.Joseph, Lt Th.Robin, SGT D.R.Luckson Phyziikho, and Sgt Major Thotsang Ngaleknao.
According to sources, a case was registered against the five NSCN-IM cadres but it was not clear regarding the ground of the case.
Meanwhile, the arrest of the five NSCN-IM cadres triggered public unrest in Senapati district headquarters and beyond on Thursday afternoon.
From 12 noon till around 5 pm, angry public took their ire to the streets blocking vehicular movements, burning tyres at various points along the National Highway-2 and shut down all shops in the town area of Senapati demanding immediate release of the NSCN-IM cadres.
Strongly condemning and expressing resentment against the arrest, the civil bodies including Naga People's Organisation (NPO), Senapati District Women Association (SDWA) and Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA) had demanded immediate release of the arrested NSCN-IM cadres within 12 hours starting from the midnight of March 18, unconditionally.
On the expiry of the deadline at 12 noon on Thursday, the bandh began as no release of the arrested NSCN-IM cadres was made. The bandh was lifted at around 5 pm after the NSCN-IM cadres were released.
