Nagaland: WMC, AMYA request SAPO to end bandh

Our Correspondent

Imphal, March 25 (EMN): The Central Executive Committee of World Meetei Council (WMC), once again requested to the Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) to end the road blockade to Manipur, while urging the state governments of Nagaland and Manipur to settle the issue at the earliest.

In a press release, WMC expressed its dismay to learn that SAPO had extended the bandh indefinitely, which was to end on March 24. It further said that, ‘WMC understands the sentiment of SAPO, but SAPO must also understand that they cannot take the people of the region into ransom, while they demand something from the government’.

The last three days of bandh had already put the people into much trouble and now to extend the bandh indefinitely is extremely unjustified. Blocking a national highway, a national property as a means to protest at the cost of innocent people, who have nothing to do with the issue is a serious violation of human rights. It is the common people who suffer the most from such bandhs, it added.

Echoing a similar sentiment, the All Manipuri Youths Association (AMYA) in a press statement suggested SAPO to withdraw the indefinite bandh in the interest of the people at the earliest as “there is always a peaceful and democratic way out of a problem howsoever grave it may be.”

According to a press note on Wednesday, the Manipur government had written to its Nagaland counterpart to take up the matter with representatives of SAPO for immediate withdrawal of the indefinite bandh for the welfare of the public and maintenance of peace.

In a letter to chief secretary, Nagaland, the special secretary (Home)of Manipur government reiterated that the permanent structure and armed personnel of the state forces were deployed within the territorial jurisdiction of the Manipur state as opposed to the claim made by SAPO.

The Manipur government also appealed for peaceful co-existence of the people of both states and further said that the issue of territories and boundaries are to be resolved amicably through negotiations between the concerned state governments, it added.