Imphal, September 03: Stepping up the ongoing agitation against the killing of Thangjam Manorama as well as demand for complete removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State, various social bodies and students organizations observed localized general strikes/bandhs in various parts of the State today.

Responding to the call of the 12 hr general strike in the Muslim inhabited areas of the State by the All Manipur Muslim Organization Coordinating Committee, All Manipur Muslim Women Development Organization and Women Development Association Manipur, a large number of bandh supporters came out on the streets and launched various forms of protests in the Muslim dominated areas today.

At Lilong , security personnel had to use force and resort to firing tear gas shells to disperse a large number of bandh supporters who were engaged in burning tyres and obstructing vehicular movement on the National Highway 39.Similar protests were also observed by bandh supporters at Yairipok Bazar with the locals attacking passing vehicles and burning tyres on the road.

Many two wheelers were also damaged by the bandh supporters during the course of the strike.

However the situation was finally brought under control by security personnel who swung into action and dispersed the crowd by firing tear gas shells.

The 12 hr strike completely paralyzed normal lives in the Muslim inhabited areas with shops downing their shutters.

All passenger bus service plying between Imphal-Lilong and Imphal-Yairipok also remained suspended during the course of the 12 hr bandh.

Meanwhile, the general strike called by the Thoubal dist AMSU, DESAM and MSF unit in the Thoubal dist ended peacefully without any untoward incident.

All shops remained closed at Thoubal Bazar and vehicles stayed off the road in support of the general strike called by the three student bodies.

Passenger bus service between Imphal and Thoubal also remained suspended on account of the bandh.

The 12 hr bandh called by the Nambol L Sanoi College students union at Nambol area today also concluded peacefully.

However all shops and educational institutions in the area remained closed.

Mention may be made her that the union had imposed the 12 hr bandh as a mark of protest against the arrest of L Sanoi College's Social and Culture secretary Yumnam Romesh by State security forces on August 28.Expressing solidarity to the ongoing agitation, members of the North East Imphal People's Committee closed down all Govt office at Lamlai and Sawombung area today.

Comment