Gridlock during 24-hr incidence-free general strike called by organisations
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 23 2015 :
Though Mao Council, a major player in the campaign to protect Manipur's Dzukou valley had pulled out shortly before the beginning of the general strike, the International Peace and Social Advancement and Committee on Kozuri Dzukou land boundary who are not convinced of the casual assurance by the Chief Minister have gone ahead with it.
As a result, normal life was thrown out of gear in most parts of valley districts.
There was a complete gridlock and only those sections exempted were seen in the streets.
Reports from other valley and some hill districts say that normal life was completely paralysed.
Scores of persons came out in the streets to burn old tyres and log to prevent vehicles from plying.
The markets manned by women were also deserted and this includes the Ima market in Imphal.
Autorickshaws and other public transport systems were not seen in the streets.
All educational institutes were empty.
The attendance in the government officials was also impossibly thin.
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People came out in large numbers in the periphery with placards and banners saying that the attempts to usurp Manipur's land in these areas should be stopped.
Police didnot intervene but hanged around at safe distances.
Thoubal, Bishnupur, Tamenglong districts also witnessed disruption of normal life with hundreds of people coming out in the streets.
Students of KM Blooming higher secondary school , Khangabok stood in the highway to block traffic.
Reports from Jiribam said that normal life was also ground to a halt at Jiribam.
Apart from dislocation of the offices and educational institutes, long running trucks and buses were stranded.
There was no report of untoward incidents during the general strike.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Committee NH-37 is asking an incisive question about the sudden cancellation of the general strike by Mao Council.
It is wondering about a possible hidden agenda between the Government and Mao Council.
People and organisations which had reposed so much trust in this organisation are disappointed and disillusioned.
This was stated in a press release issued by Coordinating Committee NH 37 secretary Manoj Sharma.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister and his senior ministers seem to be content with the understanding with the Mao council.
They are not making any comment on the impasse notwithstanding the fact that the strike which has thrown normal life out of gear.