Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 24 2009:
The 24-hour bandh by the women venders of the Ema Keithel (Women market) against the shoot out incident evoked mixed response in Manipur.
Life was normal in parts of the state even as it came to stand still in markets places in Imphal city area dominated by women venders, Lamshang in Imphal west and Khurai in Imphal east where the housewife and suspected militant slain in yesterday shoot out incident in the crowded Imphal city.
Khwairamband Keithel Phambi Apunba Ima Lup, All Manipur Roadside Vendors' Welfare Association, Khwai Central Ima Market and the Manipur Keithel Nupi Marup joitly called the 24-hour statewide bandh decrying the shoot out incident that provoked in the crowded market place and detention of two leaders of the vendors, Ima L Mema and Ima Jano Begum, by the police.
The bandh commenced from last midnight will conclude midnight tonight (July 24) .
Long-distance like the inter-district passenger service remained off the roads for the day fearing attacks that likely meted out by bandh supporter for defying the strike.
Small and light vehicles including four wheelers were seen moving on the streets even though very sparse.
At Lamshang area where the 25 year old pregnant housewife named Thokcham Robina Devi slain in the shoot out, locals took to the street along the Imphal-Kangchup road and blocked the road by piling logs and branches of the tree.
They also burnt debris on the road to disturb the traffic.
Strike supporters also closed the Tinsid road in Imphal were the slain youth who has been alleged of a militant named Chonghkam Sanjit.
Family as well as locals denied of the shooting being initiated by the youth alleged by the police.
He was a former PLA rebel retired six year back after police and security forces repeatedly arrest and staying at home without involving in any of the activities of the outfit, said the family today.
On the other hand, many civil organizations based in the state have condemned the shooting incident that killed a young pregnant housewife.
The Centre for Organization Research and Education (CORE) while strongly condemn the act of killing the mother in front of her little daughter appealed to the government to arrange adequate compensation to the deceased families and immediate medical relief and other necessary assistant to the injured on humanitarian ground.