60-hr bandh cripples life in hill areas
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 25 2011: The 60-hour bandh called by the Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas, Manipur (COPTAM) crippled normal life across the five hill districts of the state on Saturday.

The bandh commenced on 5 pm yesterday and ended at 5 pm June 27 .

COPTAM has been demanding amendment of Forest Rights Act and opposing the proposed Manipur (Village Authority in Hill Areas), 2nd Amendment Act, 2011 and the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council, fourth Amendment Act, 2011, etc.

Media, Medical service and education institutions are being kept outside the purview of the bandh.

Normal life was paralysed on the first day of the strike in the five district headquarters.

The most affected area was reported in Kangpokpi of Senapati district, Churachandpur district headquarters and Moreh.

Volunteers of COPTAM prevented movement of all kinds of vehicles.

The strike led to the closure of all shops, offices of government and private undertakings and markets.

No major untoward incidents were reported from any part of the five hill districts.

Daily commuters faced difficulteis to reach their destinations as vehicular movement was brought to a grinding halt.

No inter-district bus from any of the hill districts arrived at Imphal for the day.

They stayed off the roads fearful of any untoward incidents.

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