Proposed bandh called off

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 15: Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Headmen/Chief and Elders Organisation (MDAVHCEO) and the JAC have called off the indefinite bandh scheduled from today midnight, after getting assurance from Education Minister Th Radheshyam today
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, MDAVHCEO chairman AS Solomon said that MDAVHCEO and the JAC had announced to an indefinite bandh from today midnight but today morning they received an invitation from the Education Minister for a meeting regarding their demands.
During the meeting today, the Minister stated that Chief Minister N Biren is presently out of the State and he is currently in charge and as such he is not in a position to consider their demands.
However, he assured them to  arrange a meeting of the MDAVHCEO and JAC members with the Chief Minister at the earliest, Solomon added.
Following the assurance given by the Education Minister, the two bodies decided to call off the indefinite bandh along Imphal-Ukhrul road and the road leading towards Mapithel dam. Solomon continued that if the assurance fails to bear fruit even after the return of the Chief Minister, then they will launch the agitation.
He also showed gratitude to the CSOs who provided moral and physical support during the course of their agitation.
It may be mentioned that MDAVHCEO and the JAC, on May 13, had announced the indefinite bandh along Imphal-Ukhrul road and the road leading towards Maipthel Dam as well as to ban all coastal companies involved in tunnelling works if the Government fails to take positive steps regarding their demands to implement rehabilitation and resettlement as well as livelihood packages of the villagers who were affected by the construction of dam and if an MoA was not signed at the earliest.