Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 20 2009:
The 48 hours general strike being imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC), All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Naga Women Union, Manipur (NWUM) and the Naga People's Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) from 5 am today has virtually crippled normal life in the hill districts.
The general strike was called against the Cabinet decision to deploy commando units and IRB companies in the hill districts.
Consequent upon the strike, vehicles both public and private, stayed off the roads in the hill districts.
All commercial centres and markets remained closed.
However, educational institutions were exempted from the purview of the strike.
As such there was no disturbance to the ongoing Old Course HSLC exam.
The general strike paralysed Tamenglong district too as there was no vehicular traffic and all offices remaining closed, reports our Tamenglong correspondent.
On the other hand, State Government has deployed security forces at strategic points along NH 39 in Senapati district to thwart any subversive activities from bandh supporters.
However, it is reported that three vehicles have been damaged by suspected bandh supporters near Noney along NH 53 this afternoon.
Talking to this reporter, UNC speaker S Milan said that it has submitted representations/memoranda to Governor Gurbachan Jagat, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Hill Areas Committee of the State Assembly to persuade the State Government revoke its decision for deployment of commandos and IRB in hill districts.