Southern Angamis suspend bandh along Nagaland-Manipur border

Kohima: The Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO), on Thursday, temporarily suspended the indefinite bandh along the Nagaland-Manipur border. 

SAPO president Kevipodi Sophie and general secretary Swelul Pucho informed that its governing body and frontal organizations have unanimously decided to temporarily suspend the indefinite bandh considering the request of the Tenyimi Peoples’ Organization (TPO) and the Angami Public Organization (APO). 

The TPO had earlier submitted an ultimatum to the Manipur government to withdraw police forces from Kezoltsa and had requested the SAPO to lift the blockade. 

The SAYO also received fervent request of the APO, apex tribal body of the Angami Nagas to lift the indefinite bandh in view of its upcoming Golden Jubilee celebration to be held on April 8.  

SAPO notified that the relaxation and lifting of indefinite bandh is only a temporary measure. It said that if the Manipur government fails to adhere the ultimatum served by TPO on March 28, it will be constraint to initiate its own course of action, whereby the Government of Manipur will be held responsible.

On Wednesday, a Goodwill Mission delegation of the North East Indigenous People’s Forum (NEIPF) and Nagaland Indigenous People’s Forum (NIPF) met the Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO) at Kigwema under Kohima district.

The delegation led by N Ibungochoubi, Convener and Spokesperson of NEIPF, also made an appeal to the SAPO and all the communities in the region for peaceful and harmonious coexistence.

He had mentioned that the appeal is for all the communities of north eastern region to consider the humanitarian perspective to minimize human tragedies while any form of movement is launched.

In Mizoram, a Covid-positive pregnant woman died trying to reach the only COVID-19 hospital, 227 km away