Imphal, July 15 2009: The 120-hour state-wide general strike called by DESAM commenced midnight tonight even as police have taken up maximum security measures to foil the general strike.

DESAM has called the general strike demanding un-conditional release of the five students arrested in connection with the killing of professor Md Islamuddin of Manipur University on May 25 inside the campus of the university in the broad day light and detained under NSA later.

Senior SP, Imphal west district police today reiterating that the five persons are not arrested as "student leaders or leaders of DESAM" but for alleged involvement in the killing of professor Md Islamuddin of Manipur University on May 25 said that appropriate action will be taken up against those who called the bandh and support it.

In a statement dispatched today, the senior SP, L Kailun said "Those so called students leaders are not arrested as student leaders or leaders of DESAM but for their involvement in criminal acts of killing prof Md Islamuddin on 25/05/2009" .

Meanwhile, this evening police conducted publicity campaign stating the bandh has been called off urging the people to perform normal works during the bandh hours even though there were no official announcement of the bandh calling body, DESAM regarding the lifting of the general strike announced by the body three days back.

The statement of the senior SP also warned that district police will come strongly against those who call the bandh as well as the supporters who are indulging in illegal activities.

Reiterating that they were arrested and detained under NSA with the available evidence against them, the district police also sought co-operation of the general public in curbing the illegal bandh which course general hardship and specially to the poor and daily wage earners.

It further informed the district police has made maximum deployment of security forces to assist and provide security to the general public, Bazar areas, vegetable vendors, office goers etc.

appealing general public to inform information of bandh supporters miscreants indulging in illegal activities through telephone no.2450214 of the district police control room.