General strike affects State
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 19 2019:
The 12 hour general strike called by Left Parties opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019, greatly affected normal life in the State today.
Khwairamband Keithel and its surrounding areas wore a deserted look and all shops and business establishments also remained closed.
Government offices were opened during the general strike but attendance remained low.
Inter-State, inter-district and local passenger services remained off the roads but some auto-rickshaws could be seen plying along some routes.
Flight services were however not affected.
Even though no one could be seen coming out on the roads and blocking traffic, Left Parties members and workers could be seen staging sit in protests at various locations condemning the CAA.
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As the Winter Assembly Session is currently underway, heavy security measures were taken up in and around Imphal.
However, there are no reports of any unwanted incidents occurring during the strike.
It may be recalled that Left Parties of the country organised a Nationwide protest against CAA and NRC today and as solidarity to the said protest, CPI, CPI-M, RSP and AIFB imposed the general strike from 6 am till 6 pm in Manipur today.
On the other hand, a statement released by CPI Manipur expressed gratitude to the womenfolk, women vendors, transport organisations, CSOs and the people for supporting the general strike today.
It also strongly condemned the arrest of CPI State Secretariat Member Nongthombam Singhajit yesterday.
Police also detained members of CPI Nambol and Konthoujam local councils while they were staging a sit in protest at Nambol Keithel today, it alleged, terming the act of the police as highly condemnable.
CPI continued that out of the 14 people who were detained, all except four, have been released and added that this is a blatant violation of democracy.