The Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) on Thursday suspended its indefinite bandh along the National Highway-2 under the Southern Angami jurisdiction on the request of the Tenyimi People's Organisation (TPO) and Angami Public Organisation (APO), sources said.
The SAPO, in a statement issued by its president Kevipodi Sophie and general secretary Swelul Pucho, said that the decision to suspend the indefinite bandh was based on the TPO's "ultimatum on Manipur to withdraw police forces from Kezol Tsa and request to SAPO to lift the blockade thereof" and the fervent request of the APO to lift the indefinite bandh for its upcoming Angami Public Organisation Golden Jubilee celebration to be held on April 8.
WATCH: SAPO Bandh Fallout in Manipur
The SAPO, however, warned that the relaxation and lifting of the indefinite bandh is only temporary measures.
"If the Government of Manipur fails to adhere to the Ultimatum served by Tenyimi People's Organisation (TPO) to the Manipur Government on March 29, 2022, the SAPO in constraint will initiate its own course of action, whereby the Government of Manipur will be held responsible," SAPO warned.
The SAPO had imposed an indefinite bandh along the National Highway-2 since March 21, demanding the Manipur government to withdraw its armed personnel and permanent structures from the Kezol Tsa area.
Following the bandh, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, RK Ranjan had requested the Railway Ministry to explore the feasibility to use the current railway line in the state for supply of essential commodities, to ease the shortage of essential commodities in Manipur.
RK Ranjan Singh, in a letter addressed to Ashwini Vaishnaw Union Railway Minister, stated that the indefinite bandh has resulted in non-movement of private and commercial vehicles, thereby bringing about acute shortages of essential commodities like petrol, diesel and cooking gas across Manipur. He drew the attention of the Ministry to explore the feasibility to use the railway line to bring in supplies.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh had also said on Wednesday that the issue concerning Southern Angami People's Organisation (SAPO) is not a ‘state vs state’ matter, and the Manipur government has written to Nagaland government, stating that SAPO’s demand is not legitimate. However, the Central government will be pressed to intervene in the issue if needed, the CM had said.
