IMPHAL, June 24 � Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today declared that the State Government is likely to introduce a stringent law to prevent bandhs and economic blockades in the State.
However, he appealed to the All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) to withdraw its indefinite economic blockade on National Highways, saying that bandh and blockade bring suffering to the whole community. Stating that any issue can be addressed through dialogue and discussion, Gaikhangam, who holds the Home portfolio, said that such imposition of bandh and blockade only violates human rights and natural justice.
ATSUM had imposed the indefinite economic blockade on June 22 midnight to protest government�s failure to fulfill its charter of demands which included establishment of a Scheduled Tribe Commission, service regularisation of 268 contract lecturers and 333 ad-hoc teachers in hill districts, etc.
Newmai News adds: Several vehicles were destroyed by blockade supporters during the blockade. Today too, protestors set on fire an iron-rod carrying Tata truck at Saparmeina area on NH-2.
Meanwhile, a counter economic blockade of the Manipur Youth Front (MYF) in protest against the ATSUM blockade has started. On the first day today, supporters damaged two vehicles that ferried essential commodities from Imphal to Jiribam. The supporters of the counter blockade stopped loaded vehicles at Khurkul and Pheidinga areas of Imphal West district and forced them to return to Imphal after seizing the items carried in those vehicles. Later, police recovered the items.