Imphal East Shut down strike extended for another 48 hours

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, July 2, 2018: All Manipur Muslim Organisations Co-ordinating Committee (Ammococ) has extended its 24 hours total shut down strike in Imphal East for additional 48 hours across the state reacting against eviction at Awaching Kshetri Bengoon Mamang Khul, a village in Imphal East.

The shut down strike was launched on Sunday midnight and extended till Wednesday midnight protesting against the eviction.

During the strike, agitators blocked roads by burning tyres and placing poles and stones on the road at Top Khongnangkhong area. They confronted with the police while trying to disperse them.

On April 10 Ammococ launched two days protest against Manipur government order to acquire inhabited land of Mantripukhri and Kshetri Bengoon Mamang Khul. The strike was withdrawn in the night the strike was launched after the government convinced the members of Ammococ and its constituent organisations in a memorandum signed with the state. In the memorandum the government promised that it will not take up any activity that would be against people’s interest.

“However, yesterday all of sudden the government issued an order to take up eviction at Kshetri Bengoon Mamang Khul starting today,” said Wahidur Rehman, general of Ammococ. As the order was unreasonable and against the agreement signed with the government we announced to launch agitations with 24 hours total shutdown, he added.

He said the government instead of trying to bring a peaceful solution enforce huge security force and started to demolish houses without any mercy. Police fired shots and tear gas shells against who stood against the demolition. People were beaten like animals and many have been injured. “We strongly condemn this ruthless act of the government and we demand to immediately stop this government action,” said the secretary adding that the ongoing 24 hours total shut down strike will be extended for another 48 hours all over the state.

The eviction began at 6:30 am and destroyed 74 houses. A Masajid was spared in the eviction. Forest department officials, CRPF and state forces were utilised in the eviction.

According government officials Awaching Kshetri Bengoon Mamang Khul is a reserved forest area. The state authority has notified several times to vacate the place. We have no option rather than force eviction. Eviction will also be conducted soon at Langol forest area, said the forest department official.

Sources say police fired tear gas shells as the protestors started pelting stone towards the security forces. The firing continued till noon. In the confrontation one VDF (village defence force) personnel and state police commando were injured. The number of civilian casualty could not be confirmed till the filing of the report.

The residents asked where they would reside as their houses have been destroyed.” alt=”” width=”150″ height=”150″ class=”aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-13813″ />