The total bandh on Imphal-Dimapur road along the National Highway-2 which was strictly enforced since 6 am Saturday was called off at around 5:30 pm after the government assured the protesting civil bodies to conduct thorough investigation and find the culprits involved in the Keithelmanbi hit-and-run case at the earliest.
The total bandh was announced late Friday by Kangpokpi civil bodies under the aegis of KSO Sadar Hills as talk with the government representatives reportedly failed.
Earlier, before the announcement of the total bandh, a complete ban on the movement of all commercial trucks and tankers along the highwat was imposed from Friday in connection with the Keithelmanbi hit-and-run incident which took place on January 19.
Infuriated mobs and volunteers were seen blocking the highway at Keithelmanbi while strictly enforcing the total bandh. They were seen strictly checking the documents of exempted vehicles such as medical and airport and allowed passage to those bearing genuine documents while the rest were sent back by the volunteers.
A few vehicles with security vehicles moving towards Dimapur were reportedly damaged by the volunteers at Keithelmanbi. The volunteers holding sticks strictly checked the documents of patients, those travelling to airport, and others exempted vehicles during the purview of the bandh but only genuine documents were given a pass.
Speaking to the media, joint secretary of Keithelmanbi Youth Association Chongpi Hangshing said that they have allowed medical and airport-related travels today, but, if the government fails to solve the matter this evening, there will be no more exemption of any type from tomorrow.
Meanwhile, representatives of Kangpokpi civil bodies under the aegis of KSO Sadar Hills including the family of the deceased, Keithelmanbi Village Authority, and Keithelmanbi Youth Association with the representatives of the government and other stakeholders had another round of meeting at the office chamber of DGP Manipur on Saturday afternoon.
According to the KSO Sadar Hills, the government representatives assured to thoroughly investigate the incident and find the culprit at the earliest by following a few hints available with them though it will take some days.
“Considering the assurance, we have decided to call off the total bandh keeping faith upon the government,” said KSO Sadar Hills general secretary Thangtinlen Haokip after the meeting.
He, however, cautioned that in case the government failed to act according to their assurance, more intense forms of agitations will be initiated. He also said that after the assurance "we have also decided to claim the body of Paokhoseh Chongloi, who was killed in the hit-and-run incident on January 19".
