In a fresh statement, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) has said that the whole shutdown would be extended for another 24 hours, so intensifying its protest against the ongoing Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) deployment in the Saibol Bungpi area under Lhungtin Sub-Division.
The shutdown now runs from 2 AM on January 4, 2025, until 2 AM on January 5, 2025. Earlier, the CoTU had demanded a 12-hour district closure beginning at 2pm Thursday.
“The Committee on Tribal Unity is perturbed at the action of the Superintendent of Police towards the Kangpokpi public protestors, who have high hopes and expectations from him for the removal of all CAPF deployed from the valley into the Saibol Bungpi region of the Sadar Hills Lhungtin Sub-Divislon, which has remained unresolved until date,” the CoTU said in a statement.
“Thus, the Committee on Tribal unity is limited to extend another 24 hours total shutdown w.e.f. 2 am of 4th January until 2 am of 5th January 2025 until all CAPF deployed from Imphal valley is removed from Saibol, which is located within Sadar Hills Kangpokpi for dispensation of fair and just policing within the said area,” it said.
CoTU repeated its denunciation of the violent attack on peaceful protestors on the evening of January 3, which left 15 people injured, II of whom had to be taken for extensive medical treatment. The violence, they claimed, simply helps the community become more determined to keep up the agitation until justice is done.
The Committee has urged the government to move quickly, waming of more intense demonstrations should their requests go unmet. It has also exhorted public opinion, human rights advocates, and civil society groups to support the people of Sadar Hills.
