IMPHAL: Two days after calling for complete shutdown in Churachandpur district, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), a prominent Kuki organization, has decided to withdraw the indefinite shutdown, on Wednesday.
The shutdown was launched in protest against the arrests made by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the tragic killing of two youths and another case.
The ITLF, a Kuki organisation, has however stated that it will continue to closely monitor the situation and will determine in the future whether another “intense agitation” is required.
In an official statement issued on Wednesday, the tribal body declared, “After careful consideration, the indefinite shutdown declared by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum… will be concluded by 6 pm today.”
Additionally, the ITLF’s women’s wing will recommence their ongoing dharna (sit-in protest) from the following week.
The turmoil began when the news of the disappearance and subsequent killing of two youths, 20-year-old Phijam Hemanjit and 17-year-old Hijam Linthoingambi, on July 6 came to light. Their bodies were discovered later, leading to a massive outcry and violent demonstrations in Imphal Valley.
The CBI made four arrests in connection with the kidnapping and murder, subsequently transferring the accused to Guwahati. Furthermore, the two minor daughters of the main accused have been entrusted to the district child protection officer of Assam’s Kamrup Metro district.
The NIA, in a separate development, apprehended an individual from Churachandpur. This arrest was made in connection with a case involving a “transnational conspiracy” by leadership of terror outfits based in Myanmar and Bangladesh, aiming to wage war against India by exploiting the prevailing ethnic strife in Manipur.
Seiminlun Gangte, the accused, was apprehended in the hill district of Churachandpur and subsequently transported to New Delhi. He is slated to appear before the appropriate court for legal proceedings.
According to a statement released by the Central agency, the NIA informed that its investigation uncovered a conspiracy involving militant groups based in Myanmar and Bangladesh, collaborating with certain militant leaders within India.
Their aim was to orchestrate acts of violence with the intent of sowing discord among various ethnic communities and waging war against the Government of India, stated the statement.
