The nine (9) hours statewide bandh called from 4 am on November 10 has been extended for another 24 (twenty-four) hours by the JAC formed against the missing of two students – Maibam Avinash and Ningthoujam Anthony. Both students went missing on November 5 and remain untraceable till today.
Earlier yesterday the JAC formed against the missing of the two students called 9 hours band starting from 4 am to 1 pm on November 10. Talking to media persons today afternoon the JAC spokesperson Moirangthem Sunilkumar said that the JAC has decided to extend the bandh for 24 hours more as the government gave no response to the bandh called by the JAC.
“Is the government serious about finding the two missing students who are to appear class ten examination? Why they have remained silent even after declaring the arrest of two people involved in the kidnapping of the two students? What are the follow-up actions?”, Sunilkumar told media persons.
Meanwhile, ten political parties have announced support for any form of democratic agitation by the JAC formed against the missing of the two teenagers. Representatives of the ten political parties slammed the government over its inaction to find the whereabouts of the two students even though they have claimed the arrest of some people involved in the kidnapping of the two students.
Meanwhile, protest demonstrations were staged in various parts of the state demanding strict action to find the two missing students. Protest demonstrations were held at – Akham, Lamdeng, Lamshang, Naoremthong, Iroishemba, Uripok, Konthoujam, Langjing Achouba, Moirang Hanuba, and Meino Leirak in Imphal West district. In Imphal East, similar protests were staged at Khurai by the Meira Paibi and Club members.
The missing two students -Maibam Avinash and Ningthoujam Anthony are still untraced after their disappearance in the red zone in the Kuki-dominated area on November 5.
The JAC said that they will hold another public meeting on November 12 at Akham football ground and decide their future course of action.
The state home department, in the meantime, stated that two persons suspected to be involved in the abduction of these two youths were arrested and they are in judicial custody till November 17.