Imphal, August 14: Normal life in the capital areas were thrown out of gear today due to imposition of general strike and bandh to protest partial lifting of Disturbed Area Status.

In agitation related incidents at various areas of Greater Imphal, 21 persons, including elderly women, were admitted at RIMS and JN hospital for treatment of rubber bullet, tear gas and baton charge injuries during confrontation with security personnel.

The clashes occurred at Moirangkhom, Kwakeithel, Tera, Keishampat, Takhel Leikai, Nagaram Dingku Road and Patsoi areas.

Out of the injured two youths identified as John Kamson and James Kamson were severely thrashed by State police personnel during a crackdown on general strike supporters at Dingku Road.

Lathi-charge bruises could be seen all over their bodies.

Significantly, Manipur police personnel also detained three private vehicles along with the drivers who ferried injured persons to RIMS following the Patsoi police station skirmish.

They were arrested from RIMS campus while dropping the injured protestors.

With agitation supporters coming out in the streets to impose the strike/bandh police resorted to firing rubber bullets and tear gas shells to disperse the protestors who burnt tyres and blocked roads by felling trees and other heavy materials.

The general strike call from yesterday might in Greater Imphal areas has been given by Zeliangrong United Clubs Association Manipur with other social and student organizations like AMSU, DESAM and MSF also jointly enforcing bandhs at various areas of the capital districts to protest partial lifting of AFSPA.

As the agitationists blocked the main thoroughfares of the capital districts from midnight security personnel had a torrid time in clearing the debris.

All commercial establishments and women vendors at the normally congested Khwairamband market ceased their normal activities in support of the agitation.

With vehicles staying off the road many people, caught unaware of the agitation calls were seen stranded at some passenger bus parkings hoping to find some alternative means of transportation.

Glass splinters were also scattered at some important junctions intent on discouraging general strike violators from plying through it.

However, the strike did not affect daily flight services while the few people that came out despite the agitation were mostly on emergency matter and for religious ceremonies.

Police personnel besides dispersing the agitators with tear gas bursts and filing rubber bullets also conducted house to house search at some trouble prone areas to detain agitation supporters.

Security personnel were kept on their toes along the important Tiddim Line where strike supporters set ablaze tyres and lined up trees to enforce the agitation.

Even though the debris were cleared by the police in the morning the agitationists again came out to choke traffic after the security personnel left the scene.

Similar scenes also prevailed at Khurai, Wangkhei, Singjamei, Nagaram, Nongmeibung, Chingmeirong, Sagolband, Koirengei, Mayai Lambi, Thangmeiband, Keisamthong, Pishurn and Nagamapal areas.

A massive protest rally was also taken out from Khumbong Bazar intent on marching till Patsoi police station.

On getting information of the agitation additional reinforcement arrived from Lamphel police station and attempted to halt the agitationists, who used loud speakers to denounce security excesses and demand withdrawal of AFSPA, in between Sagoltongba and Yurembam.

As the police personnel's persuasion to retreat was turned down by the protestors tear gas shells and rubber; bullets were fired to disperse them.

Upon hearing the commotion some 100 women folk of Patsoi area thronged at the police station attempting to gate crash constraining the cops to take preventive measure to control the mob.

Amidst the strike/bandh related agitation protestors under the banner of Yelhoungeigee Meetei Chingmi-Tammigee Apunba Lup marched from Palace Compound to submit memoranda to the Chief Minister and Governor.

Police personnel, however, prevented them from reaching the destination but allowed the body's representative to submit the memorandum to the Chief Minister and through him to the Governor.

The memorandum endorsed the ongoing agitation of the people while flaying the State authorities for forcible conduct of last rites of Manorama Devi without any Meitei religion formalities.

As part of the ongoing agitation sit-in-protests were also staged at Kwakeithel Mayaikoibi Kongnang Khongshangbi Lampak, Tera, Utlou and Chongabi bazar.

Haobam Marak Keisham Leikai locals imposed 12 hour bandh along Mayai Lambi from early morning till 6 pm today.

To denounce withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 from only Imphal Municipal areas and condemning killing of Saichang village pastor Jamkholet Khongsai and Th Manorama Devi a torch rally was also organized at various Imphal East district areas yesterday evening under the aegis of Manipur Peace and Integrity Council Youth Front.

The protest rallies covered Keirao, Wangkhem, Uchon, Andro, Ngariyan, Yairipok, Keithelmanbi, Leirongthel and nearby areas.

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