Imphal, September 28: Manipur today observed a 24-hour general strike to protest against the authorities' failure to provide security along the highways bringing normal life to a standstill.

The strike, called by the United Committee Manipur, remained peaceful except for some minor incidents of stone-throwing and burning of vehicle tyres, official sources said.

The sources said that supporters of the UCM burnt vehicle tyres at Wangkhei, Ayangpalli, Kongba, Shingjamei and several other places here to prevent movement of people.

Some incidents of stone-throwing were also reported from some greater Imphal areas, they said.

Attendance in government offices was "almost nil".

At some places, including Shingjamei, supporters of the strike launched a sit-in protest against the continuous failure of the authorities to provide adequate security along the Imphal-Dimapur NH 39 and Imphal-Jiribam NH 53 on which lootings, extortions and other crimes are frequent.

Markets, shops, business establishments and cinema houses were closed across the state, official reports said.

The strike was 'total' in some interior districts.

Many people were caught unawares by the sudden announcement of the strike yesterday as they came out in the streets this morning in drives not knowing that a strike was on from midnight last night.

The UCM Secretary-General in charge, Oinam Ratan, said that on September 5 women bus passengers were molested by armed militants on the Imphal-Dimapur NH 39 and Imphal-Jiribam NH 53.