The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills, on Thursday said its extended 48-hour total shutdown with ‘No Exemptions’ would continue until 5 pm on November 6, despite holding talks with the Manipur government following an invitation from the latter.
The intensified 48-hour total shutdown imposed by the Committee with ‘No Exemptions’ witnessed a sweeping disruption of normal life across Kangpokpi district on Thursday, bringing public activities and vehicular movement to an almost complete standstill.
CoTU spokesperson Ng. Lun Kipgen said the dialogue with the government could not yield a wholly positive outcome, although the government agreed to some of its demands without prolonged discussion. However, it sought more time to deliberate on certain other crucial demands.
In the interest of an amicable and lasting resolution, he said the Committee had decided to give the government time and space to address the outstanding issues.
He, however, categorically asserted that the gesture of goodwill should not be misconstrued as a retreat or dilution of its agitation, reiterating that the ongoing shutdown would continue unabated until the announced deadline.
"Dialogue must not become a convenient instrument for buying time, nor can assurances substitute for decisive action," Kipgen said.
He also said the responsibility now rested squarely with the government to translate its assurances into concrete action and secure an amicable resolution within the stipulated timeframe.
Warning of further action, Kipgen said the Committee would collectively decide its subsequent course of action if the government failed to arrive at an acceptable and honourable resolution before the shutdown expired at 5 pm on November 6.
Reaffirming the Committee's commitment to a peaceful and amicable resolution, Kipgen cautioned that its patience should not be mistaken for surrender and its willingness to engage in dialogue should not be exploited to prolong the impasse.
Meanwhile, the latest extension strictly withdrew all exemptions, bringing educational institutions, local commuters and other categories of movement that had previously been exempted within the ambit of the intensified protest.
All educational institutions across the district, which had been allowed to function during the previous phase of the shutdown, remained completely closed on Thursday, reflecting the heightened intensity of the agitation.
Vehicular movement, particularly along the downtown stretch of the Imphal-Dimapur road (NH-2) and the IT Road, was also subjected to stringent restrictions. Unlike the previous shutdown, when limited local movement was permitted, volunteers strictly enforced the fresh directive, preventing vehicles from plying and leaving little room for movement within the district.
In a further demonstration of the shutdown's strict enforcement, volunteers intercepted vehicles in downtown IT Road and seized the keys of vehicles found violating the restrictions. The vehicle owners were reportedly made to remain at the spot until 3 pm as a punitive measure for defying the shutdown.
The seized vehicle keys were subsequently returned to their respective owners, accompanied by stern warnings against any further violation of the shutdown.
The developments underscored the markedly stricter nature of the extended agitation, with the withdrawal of exemptions significantly widening its impact on everyday life. From educational activities to routine local transportation, virtually every aspect of normal public life came under the grip of the shutdown.
The near-total suspension of routine activities highlighted CoTU's determination to enforce its demands through intensified public mobilisation, even as ordinary residents faced mounting inconvenience and disruption in their daily lives.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
