KANGPOKPI, Jan 4: The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi District, has announced the extension of its ongoing total shutdown for another 24 hours. This extension continues the protest against the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the Saibol Bungpi region under Lhungtin Sub-Division.
Initially called to demand the immediate withdrawal of CAPF from Sadar Hills, the shutdown, which began earlier this week, will now extend from 2 AM on January 4 to 2 AM on January 5, 2025.
The organization expressed frustration over the lack of action by authorities, particularly the Superintendent of Police, who CoTU claims has failed to address the grievances of the local population. “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 fringe areas at Saibol Bungpi region of Sadar Hills Lhungtin Sub-Division, which remains unresolved to date,” the statement read.
The extension of the shutdown comes in the wake of violence that erupted during protests on January 3. CoTU reported that 15 individuals were injured in what they described as a “brutal assault on peaceful protestors.” Of those injured, 11 were referred for advanced medical care.
