General strike affects NH, normal life
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 16 2014 :
The 12-hour general strike called to protest alleged desecration of the religious site by a particular communty brought vehicular movement in Koirengei-Mantripukhri section of the National Highway-2 to a grind-ing halt along with affected normal life in Heingang area of Imphal East district.
The strike, that came into effect from 6 am today, was imposed by Ibudhou Pa-khangba Ibendhou Leisna Khubam Kanba Lup (religious site protection body) to denounce a group of people from the neighbouring village disrupting annual religious ceremony performed at Hein-gang Hannaba Ching in Hein- gang on May 14 .
Since early morning, suspected strike supporters burnt tyres, and piled boulders and timber beams on the Highway at Koirengei, Khabam Lamkhai, Mantripukhri and Sangakpam areas to choke vehicular movement.
The strike was even more intense in the interior areas of Heingang although vehicles transporting students were allowed to ply after verification.
Along with demand appropriate action against those involved in disrupting the religious ceremony the strike sponsors also insisted that government of Manipur pull up and initiate disciplinary action against Officer in-charge of Heingang police station for his alleged partisan stand on the day of the incident.
It is alleged that the perpetrators armed with double barrels and shot-guns disrupted the religious ceremony and dispersed/kicked items kept at the shrine.
The incident is said to be related to dispute over land-ownership of the hillock between the neighbouring villages.