Excavator, workers association AMELTTOWA call for 14-hour Manipur bandh on August 1

Manipur to undergo a 14-hour bandh on August 1 as the greater bodies of All Manipur Excavator, Local Truck, Tipper Owners and Workers Association (AMELTTOWA) has called for a bandh. The bandh has been called in protest of the ignorant role played by the government towards the sufferings undergone by the sand miners, labourers and transporters.

The bandh has been called for 14 hours starting from 4 AM to 6 PM on August 1st. as a large number of people are earning for their livelihood from the mining industry and are earning peas in exchange of tiring labours, the associations seek the government to play an active and conscious role in addressing the problems faced by the people associated with this industry.

As stated by the AMELTTOWA President K Rajen, the mining activities are operating in the state despite the ban ordered by the High Court of Manipur. There has been continuous illegal sand mining, quarrying in the rivers and transportation of sand and stones for which no licenses are issued or are taken. Moreover, quite many mining labourers have gone jobless for which there has been no source of income left for them.

The president further told the media that a meeting was also held between the association and the principal chief conservator of forests. The discussion had led to temporarily allow the landowners to continue mining by furnishing certificate of origin.

This has also been added by the AMELTTOWA President that the emergency services will be spared during the bandh hours and the common people will not be made to undergo harassments for the bandh.

Moreover, the supply of sand and stones to the government and private construction works has also been closed by the association as long as the government does not get ready to fulfill its demands. Not only this, a ban on the import of sand and stones from other states has also been imposed by it.

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