Bandh in Churachandpur hits normal life

An indefinite shutdown was announced by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) in Churachandpur district on Friday to protest the killing of a woman in crossfire during a follow-up operations after a farmer was injured in firing at Phubala area of Bishnupur district.
Hoikholhing, wife of the chief of Langchingmanbi village was killed in crossfire between armed miscreants and the security forces that launched operations to nab the attackers.
Terming the incident a grave injustice, the ITLF condemned the authorities’ failure to ensure the safety of civilians. Joint Kuki civil society organizations have unequivocally endorsed the shutdown, calling for accountability and immediate justice for the slain village chief’s wife.
No untoward incident related to the shutdown strike was reported on the day-one of the strike.
However, reports reaching here said that roads at various parts of the district including at the district headquarters were blocked by the strike supporters to disturb the normal vehicular movement.
Shops and other business establishments including financial institutions and educational institutions also remained closed for the day, the reports added.
On the otherhand, tensions eased in Manipur valley on Friday after a farmer was injured in firing by suspected militants. However, an indefinite shutdown over killing of a woman in crossfire during follow up operation to the shooting incident hit normal life in Churachandpur district.
The tensions in Phubala area of Bishnupur district over injury of a farmer of the locality was eased after the top officials of the district assured implementation of the demands raised by the people of the area which included among others booking of the culprit(s) behind the attack.
A day after the firing targeting farmers working in their paddy fields at Phubala, the Inspector General (IG) of Manipur along with other top officials conducted a spot inspection.
On the way back from the site, the official team held a joint meeting with local Meira Paibis (Women) groups and local CSOs and discussed the incident.
Deputy commissioner of Bishnupur district and other top officials of the district administration also joined the meeting.
Although no official statement was issued after the meeting, there reached a verbal agreement in which the officials assured to translate into action the demands raised by the people of the area. While seeking arrest of the culprit(s) behind the latest attack on the farmers, the local CSOs demanded deployment of adequate security above a column of SSB currently stationed in the fringe area to protect the farmers cultivating their fields.
To another demand seeking a visit by the state Governor or by a team of top officials – chief secretary, security advisor and DGP – to take the ground zero stock of the situation, DC Pooja Elangbam requested the Governor’s office to send an official team to do so.
She further assured to implement the demands raised by the villagers within seven days.
With these assurances, the CSOs agreed to call-off all their planned protests.
On the other hand, MP Dr Bimol Akoijam who visited the Phubala firing site today, expressed serious concern over the repeated incidents of targeting the farmers working their fields in the fringe areas of the valley since the unfolding of the violent clash in the state.
Talking to the media, the MP stated that “certain people with vested interests are deliberately trying to maintain the status quo of continuous violence,” thereby obstructing the government’s peace initiatives.
He urged for an impartial investigation into the incident and called on both the Centre and state authorities to ensure the protection of civilians, especially vulnerable farmers working in sensitive zones.
Dr Bimol also questioned the apparent inaction of security forces during attacks on civilians, stating that such incidents cannot be viewed merely through the lens of those personnel deployed in the area.
“What purpose do they serve if they remain passive while farmers are being attacked?” he asked, expressing deep concern over the failure to protect the innocent