Highway blockade lifted

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Vehicles damaged for defying blockade in the morning

IMPHAL, April 20: A public meeting held today at Kanglatongbi attended by MLAs of Sekmai and Kangpokpi has resolved to lift the indefinite National Highway 2 blockade from 2pm Sunday.

The blockade was called since April 18 against the death of a protestor in police firing during demonstrations against the rape of a minor.

Meanwhile, blockade supporters damaged several vehicles along the highway today. Several local newspapers had reported on Sunday that the blockade has been lifted following which vehicles were seen plying along the highway, however, blockade supporters damaged the vehicles for defying the blockade call.

The public meeting was convened by the JAC formed in connection with the death of the protestor a day after the state Home minister Gaikhangam had announced the suspension of Sekmai officer in charge, K Geetchandra.

The JAC had been demanding the termination of the OC and his police team “who were responsible for the death of Tilak Poudyal.”

As was decided during the meeting, blockade supporters lifted the road block from Kanglatongbi, Santipur and Kalapahar areas since 2pm today.

President of the All Manipur Gorkha Students’ Union, Pradeep Razal told over the phone that the meeting was also attended by Sekmai MLA Khwairakpam Devendro and Kangpokpi MLA Nemcha Kipgen at the public meeting.

He said the two MLA took the responsibilities of turning the assurances of the state government to actions within a month.

Home minister Gaikhangam who is also the deputy chief minister of the state while announcing the suspension of the Sekmai OC yesterday had also told media persons that the government will order a magisterial enquiry or any other high level enquiry; to provide a government job to the next of kin of the dead protestor and all possible help to the minor rape victim and her family.

Pradeep Razal also informed that autopsy of the body will be conducted at the RIMS mortuary on Monday.

The seven agitators who were picked up by the police commandos yesterday have also been released, he said.

He continued that they were taken to the Sekmai PHC for checkup. While four of them have been discharged, the three others were taken to the Raj Polyclinic for further check-up, he continued.

The JAC president Kharka Bahadur Tamang said on April 19 the JAC had met with the state government and discussed the issue.

He said the government had provided assurance to take appropriate action against the police and the accused.

In case the government fail to take action within the one month dateline set, the JAC will continue with its agitations.

Meanwhile, agitators had damaged certain vehicles in the morning.

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