LAMKA, April 3: The 12 hour hills districts bandh imposed by tribal chiefs brought Churachandpur to a halt.<\/p>\n
The All Tribal Chief Forum, Manipur and United Chief Forum had called the 12 hour bandh in all hill districts of the state from 6am to 6pm today.<\/p>\n
Media persons were however, reportedly harassed by bandh supporters in the district which shows the complete lack of control over the volunteers by the leaders.<\/p>\n
Shops remained closed and streets were deserted in Lamka town.<\/p>\n
The Chief’s Forum\/ Union spokesman Lalmalsawm, this morning, reiterated to stick to their demands.<\/p>\n
He said their ultimatum of April 5, 2014 for the govt to comply to their demand is final and after which, if no result\/assurance ,at least in writing, was given by the govt, they will not let any activity of the Congress Party in their respective villages which will be a total boycott of Congress party and their candidates.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a 35 year old identified as Janngam son of Lunlal of K Thenjang Village was injured on his head at Torbung of Kangvai around 10.30 am in a melee following police resorting to firing tear gas shells to control bandh supporters.<\/p>\n
He was treated at the district hospital. <\/p>\n
Witnesses said that the action at Torbung was perpetrated by the BSF personnel who were backed by the Manipur Police who lathi charged the bandh volunteers.<\/p>\n
The spokesman of the forum Lalmalsawm said apart from several other demands they had made, they are against the introduction of the Village Development Council. <\/p>\n
A member of the forum, Tong said that the boycott against the Congress would be total and no activities of the party will be allowed at their villages.<\/p>\n
He said it is not that the chiefs patronise other political parties or is against a particular party, but it is that the Congress is the government at present.<\/p>\n
Media persons of several national papers out to cover the bandh were also left surprised by harassment by bandh supporters.<\/p>\n
A woman journalist from a national paper said though it is quite likely to be asked about her credentials, the manner and words used to do so is sometimes quite undesirable. <\/p>\n
She further lamented that many of the “kid bandh supporters” were unreasonable making it even harder.<\/p>\n
Another journalist from the state capital was not allowed to proceed further from Boulzang village though his vehicle had the press logo. The media person was charged of using a fake Id card.<\/p>\n\n