JCILPS general strike cripples normal life
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 14 2015 : The 14-hour general strike imposed by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) demanding implementation of ILPS severely affected normal life in the State today.

The general strike came into effect from 5 am and wound up at 7 pm today.

All business establishments, offices, markets and shops in four valley districts remained closed during the stir.

Bandh supporters came out in large number and blocked vehicular movements on important Highways and roads by burning tyres, placing logs, boulders, tree branches, bamboos and other hard objects and hanging phaneks (woman's loin cloth) .

All the passengers and private vehicles were off the roads during the bandh which was effective from 5 am to 7 pm.

All the shops and business places at Paona bazar, Thangal bazar, Ima markets remained shut during the bandh.

Womenfolk imposing the general strike along Dingku road

No vehicle except security, medical and essential service vehicles could be seen on the highways and important roads.

A large number of State and Central security forces were seen deployed at important places to thwart untoward incidents.

The general strike also affected normal life at Thoubal district, our correspondent reports.

Markets and shops remained closed and passenger services were halted.

Large number of protesters from different parts at Yairipok and adjoining areas of Thoubal district came out to support the JCILPS' general strike by holding protest rallies and sit-ins at different places.

Supporters burned tyres and effigies, suspended trees trunks and clothes line along Thoubal roads during their protests.

However, the bandh passed off peacefully without any unwanted incident.

Effigies of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi were burnt by bandh supporters at different places.

At Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai, womenfolk staged sit-in-protest by blocking Lamlong bridge.

They demanded implementation of ILPS and condemned the killing of Sapam Robinhood.

On the other hand, after staging a sit-in-protest, womenfolk of Khurai Thoidingjam Leikai went to Robinhood's house at Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai to hand over monetary assistance to his family.

However, police stopped them at Lamlong and allowed only five selected women to visit the family.

On the other hand, a large number of womenfolk and ILPS supporters of Soibam Leikai came out on the street near Citizen's Club and Ahongei areas and blocked the road by making human chains and placing hard objects.

Similar protest could be witnessed at Nongmeibung as well where the bandh supporters blocked the road by burning tyres and hanging phaneks.

Sit-in-protests and road blockades could be seen at different localities from Wangkhei to Kongba bazar as well.

Effigies of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi were set on fire at different areas on the road.

Mayai Lambi also witnessed similar protests at different localities.

On the other hand, police fired teargas shells at Lamphel Sanakeithel to disperse bandh supporters.

Sit-in-protests were also staged at Thongju Boroi Makhong, Changangei community hall, Kwakeithel Lamdong Leikai, Naharup Makhapat.

Womenfolk of Malom Tuliyaima also staged a rally.

On the other hand, Phoubakchao Young Muslim Development Association, Phoubakchao Students' Club, Phoubakchao Awang Leikai Youth Development Association, Phoubakchao Apunba Meira Paibi Lup, Sekmaijin Khunou Meira Paibi Association and Rural Youth Development Organisation jointly staged a torch rally demanding implementation of ILPS from Phoubakchao bazar to Sekmaijin bazar last night.

The rallyists shouted slogans like 'punish student's killers', 'revoke anti-people Bill' and 'step down incompetent MLAs and Ministers' .

Similar torch rally taken part by around 5000 people of 50 localities of Wabagai, Hiyanglam, Lamjao, Keirak, Tera Pishak and Tejpur areas was staged last night.

The rally began from Wabagai Lamkhai and marched up to Keirak dam.

From there, the rallyists returned towards Lamkhai and ended at Hiyanglam.

At night, torch rallies were staged at Liwa road, Heirangoithong, Uripok Tourangbam Leikai and RIMS road.

BISHNUPUR: The general strike also crippled normal life in Bishnupur district as well.

All the passenger and private vehicles were off the roads while business establishments, shops and Government offices remained closed during the general strike.

At Thanga Chinglak, locals of around 12 villages blocked the road and shouted solgans against the Govt.A tussle between bandh supporters and police broke out at the area.

Large number of bandh supporters came on the road and blocked roads at Sunusiphai, Sendra, Moirang bazar and Tronglaobi Makha Leikai as well.