Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 18 2009:
Over 34 loaded trucks were stranded at Khuzuma in Nagaland bordering Mao of Manipur on the third day of the indefinite economic blockade imposed by the All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) on the national highways.
The economic blockade commenced from July 16 .
Meanwhile, one more auto-rickshaw has been set on fire by unidentified persons today around 12.20 pm at Phubala in Bishnupur district.
So far, in all six auto-rickshaws had been burned during the general strike.Five auto-rickshaws were burned yesterday at various places in the valley for allegedly defying the general strike.
A report received from Mao gate said that over 34 loaded trucks arriving from other states with essential commodities stranded at Khuzuma owing to the economic blockade imposed by the ATSUM.
The students body is imposing the blockade demanding among implementation of the 100 roaster system on the reservation for scheduled tribes and scheduled castes in the appointment of government jobs and promotion.
The 120-hour general strike which was shortened at 72-hour and due to end by this midnight continued to affect life in Manipur as normal service of inter-district and city passenger services are yet to resume.
Apart from this no commercial vehicles were also remaining suspended for the day.
DESAM imposed the general strike demanding release of five student leaders detained under NSA after arrested by police in connection with the killing of professor Md Islamuddin of Manipur University on May 25 .
Business and market centres opened today but streets looked empty.
Government offices were also opened.
Except the isolated incident of burning down of an auto-rickshaw at Phubala along the Tidim road connecting Imphal with Churachandpur today at around 12.20 pm, no other violence report received.