Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam on Sunday urged civil society groups to withdraw the five-day statewide shutdown, warning that the agitation would adversely affect daily life in the state.
Addressing mediapersons, Konthoujam said after three rounds of discussions with the JAC and the victim’s family, a consensus had been reached on most of the charter of demands, with only a few issues remaining unresolved.
Notably, the shutdown, called by various sections of society, including a Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed in connection with the Tronglaobi incident, began on Sunday amid escalating demands for justice in the recent bomb attack.
According to the minister, during a meeting held on April 17, the government assured a series of measures, including a military crackdown within two months, replacement of central forces deployed in the Tronglaobi area of Bishnupur district with state forces within two months, and similar redeployment in P. Gelmol within one week.
He said central forces would also be deployed near the Jal Jeevan Mission water supply site at Chingdamba Farmland under Moirang subdivision.
The home minister also urged protestors to withdraw ongoing agitation such as road blockades and to accept the bodies of the deceased, which are currently kept in the morgue, to perform last rites.
Konthoujam further informed that the government has offered a government job to Oinam Mangalngamba, father of the two children killed in the Tronglaobi attack, commensurate with his current position in the Border Security Force. A job has also been offered to his wife.
He said efforts are underway to apprehend all those involved in the attack, adding that five suspected individuals linked to the group United Kuki National Army have been arrested so far, and the investigation is ongoing.
Appealing for restraint, the minister said the shutdown would impact all sections of society and urged the JAC and allied groups to reconsider their decision.
