The total bandh call along the National Highway-2 and National Highway-37 in Kangpokpi district of Manipur over the National Sports University land dispute which began on Monday led to a violent clash that left 12 protesters and six police personnel injured.
The civil voluntary organisations of Kangpokpi district vexed over the construction of National Sports University (NSU) at the disputed land of L Tangnaum village (Haraothel) began at 1 pm Monday. While trying to prevent police personnel from entering L Tangnaum village, 12 persons, mostly women reportedly sustained injuries when the police personnel allegedly blank fired several rounds of bullets and tear gas shells to disperse the mob.
The injured persons were identified as Neishi, Kimma and Henei Chongloi of Leimakhong, Ngahhoikim of L Munlai, Kamneimang Chongloi of L Phaikot, Gegen Vaiphei and Veitineng Vaiphei of Kharam Vaiphei, Kamgen Vaiphei of Leilon Vaiphei, Chongkim Vaiphei of L Tangnaum (Haraothel), Joujam Vaiphei and Lhingpha of L Phaijang village and Lhingneineng Kipgen of K Patbung.
Meanwhile, six police also sustained injuries during the confrontation with protesters. Additional SP (LO) Imphal West, Th Shankardeva, DSP commando Kisorchandra were among the injured.
Police said the clash between the police and the protesters broke out after the protesters tried to prevent an official team from conducting demarcation of the NSU.
“We have received information on the presence of a large number of agitators at the disputed site since last night”, said a senior police officer.
The protesters pelted stones against the police team who were guarding the officials. However, the demarcation was reportedly conducted under heavy security measure.
The agitating mob led by Thadou Students' Association (TSA) Sadar Hills shouted slogan against the alleged illegitimate demarcation and highhandedness of the Imphal West District Police personnel and the forceful act of N Biren led-BJP government over the disputed NSU site at L Tangnaum (Haraothel) village.
Vehicular movement was completely restricted at Gamgiphai, Kangpokpi DHQs and Taphou Kuki while all business establishments in the district were closed. Many vehicles were seen stopped at Gamgiphai by the bandh supporters. The total bandh was also strongly enforced along NH-37 under the aegis of Kuki Inpi and Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), Moltam Lhang.
Meanwhile, hundreds of men and women thronged the DC office of Kangpokpi to meet the district administrator to highlight their grievances over the disputed NSU site.
In a lengthy discussion of almost two hours in front of the DC office, DC of Kangpokpi, Somorjit Salam said that L Tangnaum (Haraothel) village is legitimately under Kangpokpi District Administration and assured the people that he will bring to the knowledge of the chief minister and the state chief secretary about the current crisis at the village along with the people’s demands.
The demands included immediate withdrawal of Imphal West District Police from L Tangnaum village to declare the current illegitimate demarcation as null and void, to constitute a proper legitimate demarcation committee, publicise the findings of the state government’s District Boundary Commission first before conducting demarcation at NSU site.
Meanwhile, Sadar Hills Chiefs’ Association (SAHILCA) and KSO General Headquarters also condemned the alleged illegitimate demarcation and endorsed the total bandh called by the CVOs of Kangpokpi over the disputed land.
Taking serious note of the alleged violence perpetrated by state forces on Monday at L Tangnaum village, KSO-GHQ strongly condemned the unlawful act of violence while stating that despite several appeals for peaceful settlement of the land demarcation issue, the abrupt deployment of the state security forces with anti-riot equipment, lathi charge and firing of bullets against the peaceful villagers are seen as a stern manifestation of the state’s cold-hearted treatment of the tribal interest.
Reiterating that land is our identity and any forceful attempt to grab them will be resisted tooth and nail, the student body urges the state government to denounce violence and find a possible peaceful solution at the earliest and appeal to withdraw security forces deployed at the disputed site immediately while cautioning that if tension at L. Tangnaum village (Haraothel) gets worse in the coming days, the state government shall be held responsible.
Meanwhile, the International Human Rights Association (IHRA), Manipur called for immediate resolution on the land dispute in connection with the prestigious National Sports University.
President of IHRA, Mark Thangmang Haokip said that it has come to the notice of the IHRA that the state government has ordered demarcation of land allotted for establishment of NSU. He also said that it is also learnt that the allotted land is a disputed land with different claims and found that the government's order is immoderately alarming. Further, it is regrettably immature that the government would take such critical resolutions without prior consent of the stakeholders concerned, he added.
