Strike disrupts normal life
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 28 2012:
Normal life in the State was affected today due to the 12-hour country-wide general strike enforced by various labourers' bodies spearheaded in the State by Coordinating Body of Trade Union, Manipur demanding a hike in labourers' wage.
All flight operations were disrupted, and Inter-State buses and other passenger buses remained off the road.
Most of the shops, oil pumps, and business establishments remained closed in Imphal's main markets�Thangal Keithel and Paona Keithel.
Though a handful of Government employees attended office today, the attendance percentage was below average.
Banks, financial institutions, schools and other educational institutions remained closed.
However, the ongoing HSSLC exams remained unaffected and went off peacefully.
Report of arrest of six strike enforcers including three women from Khwairamband Keithel was received.
They were later released after the strike hour ended.
Meanwhile, a sit-in-protest was held at Dharmsala under the aegis of All Manipur Workers' Union demanding hike in labourers' wage.
Convenor of Coordinating Body of Trade Unions, Manipur L Sotinkumar also took part in the protest.
Speaking to media persons, L Sotinkumar said the general strike in the State today was 90 percent successful.
He said that a rally would also be taken out in the near future to demand an increase in wage of labourers under the aegis of Coordinating Committee of Trade Unions, Manipur.
Sotinkumar also expressed gratitude to Trade Union, Moreh and Ukhrul Transport Association for extending cooperation to the strike.