Imphal, June 10 (UNI) The Arambai Tenggol (AT) called off the ten-day bandh on Tuesday with immediate effect .
AT PRO Robin Mangang, addressing the media said , though the bandh was called off other democratic forms of agitation will continue to protest the arrest of Kanan.
Robin said the decision to call off the bandh on the third day of the ten day stir was taken after considering several reports from the ground.
He said the AT is a social cultural organization of Manipur not an armed organization.
The organization was involved in religious activities of Manipur but it was compelled to defend Manipur after attack by some illegal immigrants. As some AT members had defended Manipur using arms various cases have been labeled against AT members he said. NIA, CBI and Manipur Police have filed cases against AT and its members for the activities after the attack by illegal immigrants, he said.
Some miscreants used violence, attacked media persons disturbed movement of people who were moving for important cultural events which are against the ethos of Arambai Tenggol, he said. Some miscreants even burnt vehicles which is not acceptable at all. Some criminal minded people attacked police and security personnel and marriage parties were even stopped. The bandh had to be relaxed as the agitation was going in an unacceptable way.
People were facing hardship as essential commodities were not available and perishable items like vegetables, fish needed to be immediately transported as the state is facing other problems, Robin added. There were lots of appeals from all quarters and some farmers also informed that agricultural activities were affected, he said. Flood has seriously affected life and the hardships faced by those affected by it could not be further disturbed by the bandh, he said.
An Arambai Tenggol leader said some miscreants who were creating problems and resorting to violent activities during the bandh were picked up. The organization had also laid down arms as suggested by the Governor AK Bhalla. Other democratic forms of stir will continue he added until Kanan was released.
An official said internet ban was imposed for five days from June 7, 11.45 pm in five districts including state capital and if the situation improves the ban may be relaxed. Water Resource official said there were problems in movement of water tanks as roads were blocked and if the bandh is lifted it will be able to start providing water to people.
Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Imphal official welcomed the move as patients and staff were not able to reach the Institute due to the bandh. The hospital was overloaded as other hospitals like JNIMS have closed down due to flooding. Most of the patients of JNIMS have been kept at RIMS hence roads leading to the hospital should not be blocked, it was added.
Organisation like Uripok Apunba Lup also suggested free movements of people as the roads at Uripok, Thangmeiband, Sagolband are used by patients going to RIMS.
Political parties have not officially reacted, however a political initiative is going to restore normalcy in the state, a political leader said. Former Chief Minister N Biren Singh along with Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba have met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday to resolve the crisis in Manipur. Details of the talks were not revealed however political leaders are expecting a decision before August as the President’s Rule was imposed on Feb 13 which is in force for six months unless extended by Parliament.
The news of the calling of the bandh could not spread fast due to the ban on the internet however people started coming out to buy essential goods and some vehicles were seen on the roads.
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