Bandh throws normal life out of gear, Political parties stage joint rally
Political parties, TUs hail TMC's move
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 20 2012: As many as eight (non) Congress political parties and the coordinating body of several trade unions have not only hailed the decision of Trinamool Congress (TMC) to withdraw support to the UPA-II Government but also demanded resignation of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on the same issues of diesel price hike and FDI in retail sector.

In solidarity with the country-wide general strike called against diesel price hike, putting a cap on cooking gas consumption and allowing FDI in retail sector, leaders, workers and members of different political parties and trade unions took out a protest rally on different roads of Imphal city denouncing policies of the Government of India.

The rally was participated by leaders and members of All India Forward Bloc, CPI, CPI (M), JD (S), JD (U), MPP, NPP and RSP.

Different political parties staging a rally at Imphal

The rally which started from Irabot Bhavan passed through the main streets of Imphal city and the protesters forced closure of shops and stalls which were found open in the course of the rally.

But at about 10 am, when the rally was being taken out for the second time, the protesters were blocked by police on BT Road and they went back to BT Park where they held a meeting.

On account of the general strike, almost all the major shops and business centres of Imphal remained shut.

There was little movement of passenger vehicles and all the educational institutions remained closed.

Attendance in Government offices was quite low but flight service was not affected.

Addressing the meeting, MPP president S Umananda thanked the people of Manipur for consciously supporting the general strike called against faulty policies of the Government of India.

JD (U) president Tombi, while noting that TMC left the UPA-II for not consulting them before hiking diesel price, appreciated the decision of TMC leadership.

The hike in diesel price would produce the severest impacts among the common people of Manipur for there is no rail connectivity to the State, he said.

CPI State unit secretary Dr M Nara also conveyed gratitude to the people for boldly standing up against the anti-people policy of the Congress-led Government.

He said that the eight parties present there were demanding resignation of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.