Bandh affects normal life, little impact on Sangai fest
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 22 2013 :
The Maoist Communist Party, Manipur sponsored 24-hour general strike, which was clamped from last midnight, affected normal life in the State today.
The general strike was imposed by the outfit against the loss of Manipur's territory to Myanmar due to the border fencing.
During the general strike, almost all shops, business establishments, schools and colleges remained closed in Imphal and adjoining market areas of Lamlong, Kongba, Singjamei and Kwakeithel etc.
Despite the bandh there was a reasonably good turn out at the Sangai Festival venue, with about 70 percent occupancy at BOAT.
Although, people from outside Imphal and other districts could not reach the festival venue due to the general strike, the festival witnessed huge turnout of Imphal denizens.
Many stalls, which did not open yesterday, started opening from today.
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With security already been beefed up from yesterday, no untoward incident was reported during the bandh.
Although, Government offices remained open, attendance of employees was quite low.
The day also witnessed thin traffic on the streets of Imphal, inter-district roads and National Highways with almost all the passenger transport operators suspended service and low turn out of private vehicles.
While the general strike affected other valley districts less, markets at district headquarters bore deserted look as passenger vehicles to Imphal were off the road.
Although, there was no impact of the general strike in hill districts, transport operators suspended services to Imphal and valley districts.
Meanwhile, inter-State passenger buses and goods laden vehicles, which were stranded at Mao gate due to UNC sponsored 48-hour bandh, reached Imphal this morning.
The general strike was clamped by Maoist Communist Party, Manipur claiming that Manipur has lost around 4 km of land to Myanmar at Moreh area in the course of border fencing with Myanmar.
It may be mentioned that apart from giving intense pressure by many civil society organisations to the Government, a delegation of political parties had already met Prime Minister, Home Minister and Defence Minister in this regard.
Chief Minister O Ibobi, who led the delegation, had assured to urge the Centre to stop border fencing until the matter is resolved through joint resurveying by the officials of the two countries.