Senapati: The ongoing total bandh along NH-2 that had been effective since March 21 has been extended to infinite bandh with effect from midnight of March 23.
The said bandh was called by Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO) within Southern Angami jurisdiction in protest against non-withdrawal of security forces belonging to Manipur Govt deployed at Kezoltsa (Koziiri) and continued undertaking of developmental activities by Manipur Govt which is stated to be violation of standing agreement with the Tenyimi Public Organization (TPO) resolution until any final verdict is served at the disputed area.
Mention may be made that many Manipur bound passengers and good laden trucks are stranded in and around Phesama check post in Nagaland due to the ongoing bandh. SAPO has called the three-day bandh starting March 21 till March 23 demanding the government of Manipur to withdraw its security forces from the “disputed area” of Kezoltsa. All travellers planning to pass through the route have been cut off since the enforcement of the bandh on March 21.
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According to a press communiqué issued by Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO), Kevipodi Sophie, President and Swelul Pucho, General Secretary, SAPO on Wednesday stated that SAPO decided to extend the ongoing total bandh within Southern Angami jurisdiction to indefinite with effect from March 23 midnight while restriction to any form of travel has been enforced during the bandh. The decision was reportedly taken after Manipur Govt has failed to withdraw its armed personnel and permanent structures within 72 hours at Kezoltsa (Koziiri) area.
However, during indefinite bandh against the Manipur state is enforced, para-military forces on duty, ambulance with patients, press/media, Tenyimi Public Organization (TPO) executives and its unit executives, TPO Board of Arbitrators (BoA) on production of valid documents are stated to be exempted from the purview of the bandh.
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