Imphal, October 29 2008: THE 12 HOUR state-wide bandh called against the burning down of an Imphal-Guwahati passenger bus (MN01-1664) belonging to Imphal Airbus Travels on October 23 night in Assam's Lahorijan area bordering Nagaland resulting in the death of two passengers, hit the normal life in Manipur.

The tourist bus operators decides not to take wheels until their demands are fulfilled.

The bandh, however couldn't give much impact in the state in view of the last hour shopping for the upcoming Ningol-Chakkouba festival which falls on October 31 .

Meanwhile, a high level meeting convened by state chief minister, O Ibobi today has discussed on the security of the national highways passing through the state and for the highway protection force which the striking All Manipur Inter-state Bus Association is demanding among others.

The meeting has decided to hand over the responsibility for protection of the highways to the Central security forces and to press the Centre for deployment of high protection force on the highways at the earliest.

Transport minister, L Jayentakumar, state chief secretary, Rakesh, top officials of the Central paramilitary military force establishments including that of Assam Rifles and CRPF, state home and police department including DGP Y Joykumar and transport department attended the meeting which was held at the office chamber of the chief minister's bungalow.

It commenced at around 10.30 am, source said.

Among others the meeting discussed on the deployment of security along the Manipur sections of the two national highways 53 and 39, protection of state vehicles throughout the stretch of the NH-39 passing through Nagaland and Assam and other related issues, the source said.

Protesting the burning of the bus,a joint meeting of All Manipur Inter State Bus Service Associaton (AMISBSA), All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation, Threatened Indigenous People's Society, Kuki Women's Union, Manipur, United People's Front, Zeliangrong Youth Front (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland), and Drivers and Owners Union called the Bandh.

On the other hand,the Bandh affects the movement of the normal movement of the inter-district passengers and goods laden vehicles.It also affects the inter-state transport services as well for the day due to the bandh.

As a result those living in some districts could not come to the state capital for the Ningol-Chakkouba shopping etc.

But for those who resides close to the Imphal town rushed to the Khwairamband Keithel for the last minute shopping.

Meanwhile, members of the transporters bodies staged a sit in demonstration as part of supporting the day long Bandh in the state at North AOC here on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelight of the demonstration, A Budha Luwang, President of the AMISBSA said," We would continue not to take wheels till our demands are fulfilled".

The main demands of the association in their memorandum which was submitted to the Chief Minister O Ibobi on Tuesday include institution of judicial enquiry into the incident and provision of ex-gratia/compensation to the families of the deceased and injured victims as well as the bus owner,besides providing a highway protection force.

The indefinite suspension of the tourist buses since October 25 has hit the movement of the passengers along the Imphal-Guwahati route.

Many state natives and students studied outside are facing great difficulties in coming home for the Ningol Chakkhouba,the greatest festival of the Manipur.

Many civil society organizations including the outlawed United National Liberation Front had strongly condemned the burning of the passenger bus by KLO/KLA, a kuki militants organization.

On other other hand the United People's Front, a common body of kuki militants which have suspension of operation with security forces sharing a similar feeling, claimed KLO/KLA are not members of the front.