The United Committee Manipur (UCM) has warned of launching a counter bandh along National Highway-39 in collaboration with civil society organisations of Assam if the Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) fails to withdraw its indefinite bandh along the national highway immediately.
Earlier, SAPO had claimed that the indefinite bandh along National Highway-39 was imposed against the failure of the Manipur government to withdraw its armed personnel and permanent structures from Kezoltsa.
UCM president Joychandra Konthoujam told media at its head office located at Lamphelpat, Imphal West on Monday that UCM will never compromise on the territorial boundary of Manipur and if SAPO wanted to claim their demand then they should consult with the Nagaland government.
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During the first session of 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, leader of the House, N Biren Singh had informed the House that two-third of the entire area of Dzuko valley belongs to Manipur and remaining is for Nagaland. He said that the present issue raised by SAPO is not a territorial boundary issue as the state territorial boundary is already mentioned clearly on the boundary map of Manipur and Nagaland.
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Joychandra said that the IRB post set up at Kezolta is constructed 100 metres inside the Manipur boundary and the demand of SAPO to withdraw the said armed personnel from the area is irrelevant. UCM appreciates the stand of Chief Minister N Biren Singh that the Manipur government will never compromise a single inch of land regarding the issue, he added.
He said if SAPO wanted to raise a claim then they should consult with the Nagaland government as consulting the chief minister of Manipur will not bring any solution.
Joychandra also said imposing indefinite bandh along National Highway-39 will not bring solution and they should withdraw the indefinite bandh immediately. He said UCM will take a field visit to Dzuko valley if an amicable solution is not found.
UCM extends its appreciation towards the step taken by All Assam Manipuri Youth Association (AAMYA) for launching indefinite counter bandh on NH-39 with effect from midnight of Sunday, the president of the committee said.
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Meanwhile, one of the members of AAMYA, through a video clip on the sideline of the counter indefinite bandh along NH-39 at Bokajan, Assam, said that the bandh will continue till SAPO calls off their bandh.
He said AAMYA had informed SAPO to consult with the Nagaland government instead of imposing national highway bandh. As SAPO failed to listen to AAMYA, the counter indefinite bandh along NH-39 will continue, he asserted.
