Demanding the state government for a thorough investigation into the disappearance of VDF personnel Ningombam Premananda in Chandel district, Manipur, the JAC along with various groups on Wednesday blocked the National Highway-102 connecting Imphal and Moreh. The protesters, however, withdrew the blockade on Wednesday for five days, saying the road blockade would continue if the government failed to act on the matter.
The protesters blocked the movement of vehicles at various parts of NH-102, including at the Thoubal Okram region, demanding the state government and the authorities concerned to start a thorough investigation into the disappearance of VDF Ningombam Premananda who was a part of a poppy destruction team that was camped at Urantop hillside under the Chakpikarong police station of Chandel district, near India-Myanmar border.
The JAC representative, however, agreed to withdraw the protests till February 5, after the meeting with state Works Minister K Govindas.
VDF personnel Premananda was found missing around 2-3 am on January 21. As the news of the missing broke, the state police force, Assam Rifles, VDF, narcotics and forest departments conducted a search but in vain.
Following the disappearance of VDF Premananda, the JAC was formed and held a meeting on January 29 which resolved that if the state government did not produce any information regarding the disappearance by January 31, the JAC along with other organisations and the people will begin a strong protests, including the blockade of NH 102.
The locals of Thoubal Okram began the blockade of NH 102 from dusk on Wednesday. The movement of vehicles for medical emergencies and essential services were exempted from the blockade. The protesters displayed placards which read ‘The state government does not care about the disappearance of VDF Premananda’ and ‘We condemned the lack of information even after 11 days of disappearance’ etc.
Amid the protest, Govindas met with the JAC representatives at the old secretariat in the presence of Khangabok MLA O Surjakumar, a social worker from Thoubal L Basanta and additional SP Ops O Wangkhomba.
The representatives of the state government listened to the queries and demands of the JAC and Premananda’s family, stating that the search and investigation for Premananda will begin on Thursday along with additional forces.
Taking the assurance into account, the JAC agreed to withdraw the protests for five days. Convenor of the JAC Wanglen said that on February 6, the JAC will hold a public meeting and discuss the following steps.
Meanwhile, a combined team of Chandel police led by Chandel police OC, Chandel RI along with 8 MR and Japhou Bazaar authority destroyed 8 acres of poppy plantation at Old Lamkhang Khunthak village in Chandel.
According to sources, around 11 am on Wednesday, the combined team destroyed poppy plants cultivated in an area of 8 acres at Old Lamkhang Khunthak Village in Chandel district under the supervision of additional SP (L/O, Ops), Chandel SDPO and the overall supervision of Chandel SP.
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