Manipur Orders Guns Seizure To Curb NH Agitation

Imphal, Sep 15 : Cracking the whip against the intensified stir for creation of Sadar Hills district, the state cabinet has decided to confiscate all licensed guns issued to people of the area. A meeting was held at chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh's office chamber on Tuesday night where it was decided that FIRs would be registered against the leaders of the striking Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC).

The SHDDC has been imposing economic blockades on national highways 39 and 53 that connects the state capital with Silchar.

The decision came a few days after the SHDDC urged its supporters to arm themselves in pursuit of its demand to upgrade the Kuki-dominated Sadar Hills in Senapati into a full-fledged district.

Reacting against the cabinet decision, SHDDC general secretary Tonghen Kipgen said the move will not help in bringing about a solution. "It is the moral spirit and strong determination and not arms that infuse our justified and long-standing demand to create Sadar Hills. The government's decision will only intensify our agitation as we have already vowed to agitate till our demand is fulfilled," he added.

Government spokesman and irrigation and flood control minister N Biren Singh said the decision was taken only to curtail undemocratic activities and not to sideline the demand for creation of Sadar Hills district. The government has no intention to launch a crackdown against any non-violent forms of agitation of the SHDDC.

The meeting appealed to persons concerned to deposit their licensed arms at the nearest police station to prevent any unwanted incident in the Sadar Hills. Additional district magistrate (Kangpokpi) has been asked to notify people to submit their licensed guns at Kangpokpi police station. The DGP has also been instructed to get in touch with SP (Senapati) and additional SP of Kangpoki to lodge FIRs against leaders of SHDDC and take necessary action.

Commenting on the ultimatum given by the people of Jiribam to impose economic blockade on NH-53 in pursuit of their demand to upgrade the area to a full-fledged district, Biren said the government is keeping its option open to chalk out an agreement. The cabinet meeting also discussed about uninterrupted supply of essential commodities to the state.