Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 13:
The first day of the 48 hrs general strike called by 26 voluntary organizations to protest the killing of Th Manorama by Assam Rifles personnel began today from 12 am today paralyzing commercial activities, especially in the capital city.
As part of the agitation, effigies of the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, DIG Assam Rifles and others concerned were consigned to the flames.
Effigies of the Prime Minister, Chief Minister and the DIG of Assam Rifles were consigned to the flames today at about 5.40 pm near the Customs Office at New Checkon in Imphal East.
At near Kwakeithel crossing, bandh supporters also burnt the effigies of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister.
All commercial activities came to a grinding halt as the clock struck 12 am today and shops downed shutters at Khwairamband bazar and women folk kept away from the Nupi Keithel.
Inter-district passenger buses and inter-State buses also suspended service for the day.
However flight services were not cancelled.
The general strike also evoked healthy response from some other districts with all the major commercial centres remaining closed for the day.
Reports of bandh supporters deflating the tyres and breaking the headlights of vehicles at Uripok Kangchup road have come in.
Tyres were piled up near the Puja Lampak on the Wangkhei-Kongba road and set on fire by bandh supporters to dissuade motorists.
The road connecting Imphal to Yairipok which passes through Bamon Kampu was strewn with huge logs of wood and uprooted trees to stop vehicular movements.
At Irilbung Thongju, iron rods were fixed on either side of the road to prevent anyone from venturing out.
Meira paibis gathered at the gate of the late Manorama and displayed festoons and placards denouncing the killing and demanding the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
The women folk also demanded punishment of the personnel involved in the killing of Manorama.A sit-in-protest was held at Irilbung Thongkhong to denounce the killing of the woman.
Members of the Kongba Kshetri Leikai Panthoibi Nupi Lup also staged a sit-in-protest.