Manipur: 14-Hours Statewide 'Bandh' on August 1

Imphal, July 30, 2019:

All Manipur Excavator, Local Truck, Tipper Owners and Workers Association (AMELTTOWA) have called for a 14 hours statewide bandh on August 1 from 4 am to 6 pm.

The AMELTTOWA president, K. Rajen said that the bandh has been called against government ignorance towards the sufferings of the sand miners, labourers and transporters, who are now struggling for a means of livelihood.

Addressing the media, Rajen contended that following the ban order of High Court of Manipur on sand mining, quarrying in all rivers and transportation of sand and stones without licences, many labourers were left stranded without any means of income.

The AMELTTOWA president pointed that a discussion between association members and principal chief conservator of forests and chief conservator of forests held on July 16 resolved that quarrying be allowed temporarily in land owned by individuals themselves by furnishing certificate of origin.

However, the forest department deterred and said that the matter is in the jurisdiction of directorate of commerce and industries. On the other hand, a notice issued by additional chief secretary (forest and environment) permits sand mining and quarrying in land owned by individuals themselves by furnishing certificate of origin, he noted.

The AMELTTOWA president expressed grieve on the fact that daily wage earners and hand to mouth labourers, who used to derive their means of livelihood from sand mining, quarrying and transportation of the same have been pushed to the extent of starvation. As such, he demanded the government to allow sand mining, quarrying and transportation as per the notice as interim measure. The government should also declare specific areas as legal quarry as a long lasting solution to the sufferings of the labourers, he added.

Rajen mentioned that emergency services will be exempted from the bandh.

In addition to the bandh, the association has also banned supplies of sand and stones for all government and private constructions until the demands are fulfilled. It has also put a ban on import of sand from other states.

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