LUNGLEI: In a significant move, a total shutdown in the Lunglei district starting from 6 a.m. tomorrow has been called by the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), the apex student organization in Mizoram. The shutdown is to protest the state government's decision to divert Rs 45.09 crore from the Rs 90.69 crore originally sanctioned for repairing the crucial Aizawl-Thenzawl-Lunglei road.
The call for the total shutdown comes following a three-day blockade on the same route. The MZP clarified that the one-day pause before the bandh is to allow residents to purchase essential supplies.
It needs to be mentioned that the protests began on Monday with a blockade at Pukpui on Lunglei's northern outskirts. It had expanded to Hrangchalkawn on the southern edge along National Highway 54 by Tuesday, a crucial route connecting Aizawl and Lungler. The blockade resulted in significant transport disruption, with numerous vehicles stranded.
The decision to call for a complete bandh was taken after the government failed to offer any meaningful assurance regarding their demands, the MZP said in a statement. The student body has accused the government of neglecting southern Mizoram by reallocating vital infrastructure funds without consultation.
Meanwhile, employees working under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) across Mizoram on April 15 launched a three-day statewide strike, demanding regularization of their jobs under the established state government framework.
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