General strike ends peacefully, total
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 03 2011: The 12-hour State-wide general strike called by All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) since 5 am today in protest against the Sangakpham bomb blast that claimed the lives of five people including two young girl students and wounded eight others concluded peacefully.

Though there was no report of any untoward incidents during the general strike, protest demonstrations were witnessed at different parts even as strike supporters erected road blocks, thereby seriously impacting on the normal day-to-day activities of the people in the State.

The State Home Department had also put in place stringent security measures to prevent unwanted incidents.

But vehicular traffic on the roads was minimal with passenger buses staying off the roads.

However, some private vehicles could be seen plying despite closure of all the oil pumps.

Schools and colleges also remained shut with no students coming to attend classes.

Attendance in Government offices too was reportedly minimal.

Business transaction in the otherwise busy Khwairamband Bazar as well as in other districts like Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, etc was nil with shutters of all shops and other business establishments down for the day.

BT Road deserted during the bandh

However, flight service was normal.

During the course of the strike, CPI Naoriya Pakhanglakpa Local Council organised a mass sit-in protest at Kwakeithel decrying the bomb blast at Sangakpham.

Similar, protest demonstration was also staged along Khurai Tinsid Road by the people of the area.

Our Moreh correspondent adds: The 12-hour State wide general strike called by AMSU was also total in the border town Moreh.

Since early morning, members of AMSU Chandel district enforced the strike along with burning of tyres at Moreh Bazar and preventing any vehicular movement along National Highway 39/2 .

On account of the general strike, all the schools and colleges in Moreh also remained closed for the day and no Inter-district transport was plied between Imphal and Moreh.

The impact of the strike could also be seen in Namphalong market of neighbouring country, Myanmar which wore a deserted look.

All the shops and other business establishment in Moreh town also downed their shutters for the day.

However, there is no report of any untoward incidents during the course of the general strike.

The AMSU sponsored general strike also crippled normal life in Jiribam, reports our Jiribam correspondent.

During the bandh, Government offices, shops and educational institutions remained shut and vehicles stayed off the roads including National Highway 37 .

However, no untoward incidents took place anywhere in the sub-division.

Meanwhile, condemnation over the bomb blast at Sangakpham that killed five people and injured eight others continued to pour in with everyone denouncing it as an act of terrorism.

In separate statements, Naga Women's Union, Macha Leima, Chanura Lamchinglel Kangleipak, Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland), Zeliangrong Union (Imphal Zone), Nongpok Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Lup, United NGOs Mission-Manipur, Cachar Road Athletic Union, etc have condemned the bomb blast.

It may be recalled here that Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh yesterday claimed that concrete evidences of direct involvement of NSCN (IM) in the Sangakpham bomb blast have been collected and the State Government has already requested the Centre for revoking the ceasefire agreement with the Naga rebel group.