By R Lester Makang
UKHRUL, April 5: In a sudden and drastic move by the state government just three days ahead of the Outer Manipur Parliamentary elections, Ukhrul DC Dr SK Chaurasia has been transferred out of here, while joint secretary, (Finance), commissioner Taxes & Excise and staff officer to the chief secretary Modak Hrisheekesh Arvind has been posted in his place.
At the same time, sources have said, the state Election Commission has declared the two assembly constituencies of the district, namely
44-Ukhrul (ST) AC and 45- Chingai (ST) AC as hyper sensitive zones in connection with the ensuing Lok Sabha polls in Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency which is slated for Wednesday (9 April).
Besides, the Election Commission has also issued new directives to make every necessary arrangement for smooth conduct of the polls in these constituencies, sources further said.
Meanwhile, decrying the government`s move as an affront to the people of the district, various civil society organizations here have enforced a three-hour total shutdown from 3 pm till 6 pm in the town this evening.
During the shutdown, the whole town wore a deserted look as all business establishments downed their shutters while vehicles stayed off the main road and people remained indoors.
However, as is usual with most event organizers here to keep things from media persons, further details of the whys and the wherefores of today`s protest could not be immediately established at the time of filing this report.