Our Correspondent
IMPHAL, April 28
The United Naga Council (UNC) sponsored 48 hours of total bandh in the Naga inhabited areas has affected the normal life in the four hill district headquarters of Manipur-Chandel, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul today.But it couldn't affect the normal life in the five other district headquarters including Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Churachandpur.The bandh which was on since midnight of April 27 is scheduled to continue till midnight of midnight April 29 in Naga areas to draw the attention of the Government of India to intervene with Alternative Arrangement outside the Government of Manipur pending Indo-Naga Political Settlement.
Otherwise the bandh was effective and peaceful at Ukhrul district headquarters, 84 km north of Imphal, a resident of Ukhrul hill town said."In chandel, the bandh was enforced at Tuishimi(Chakpikarong area), Lamkang Khunou(along Imphal More route) and Liwa Chaning(district headquarter)", says a source from Chandel district headquarters, about 65 km south of Imphal."All roads including Imphal-Moreh route wore deserted look, shops and other commercial centres also remain closed during the bandh."
Similarly the bandh was total in Senapati,60 km north of Imphal, according to the reports reaching here."Due to the bandh, all government offices and markets of Tamenglong town wore deserted look. But the schools were opened", sources from Tamenglong, 150 km west of Imphal said.
The bandhs in the above hill town were enforced by respective district organizations including Tangkhul Naga Long, Chandel Naga People’s Organisation,Naga People’s Organisation etc. Not only the markets but the functioning of the government and private offices there also paralysed.
But there are no reports of any untoward incidents during the course of the bandh, the source added. The vehicular movements along all the important inter-district and inter-state highways beside the popular Indo-Myanmar route were also severely affected during the course of the bandh on Tuesday.
It may be noted that the Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur and Rongmei Naga Council, Manipur have decided not to co-operate with all the activities of United Naga Council for not responding to the request for their affiliation on October 1 last year.
It appealed not to give any kind of support to UNC’s directives such as bandhs, taxes and other services till their issue are resolved.
But the Zeliangrong Youth Front said that they will actively involve, participate and enforce the decision of UNC in Zeliangrong areas.
