Imphal, June 17: Even as opposition to the decision to extend the Indo-NSCN(IM) cease fire to the soil of Manipur continue to pour in, the 66 hour general strike called by 83 voluntary organizations intensified on the second day today with the skyline of Imphal city enveloped by gray smokes billowing out of hundreds of burnt effigies and burnt tyres.

Peoples� ourtage began to intensify as the day wore on and numerous processions were taken out after sun set to protest against the Centre�s decision.

Hundreds of people from Kakwa side took to the street and marched along the Indo-Myanmar-Sugnu road today at about 7 pm to meet the Governor.

The protesters shouted slogans and were soon joined by a large number of people on the way.

They were however stopped by the police at Moirangkhom who asked them not to proceed.

Police had to lob tear gas to control the crowd.

Two women were injured in the melee.

Processions were also taken out on the Tiddim line but they were turned back at Keishamthong crossing by the police.

The 66 hour general strike which came into effect from midnight of June 15 will come to end tomorrow at 6 pm while the 24 hour general strike called by AMSU, AMKIL, NIPCO and UPF will come into effect from midnight of June 17 and go on till midnight of June 18.Hundreds of effigies of Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, Home Minister L K Advani, Th Muivah and emissary Padmanabhiah were consigned to flames all over the capital city.

The bandh had hit normal life yesterday too but the impact was more heavy today.

Tyres and woods were piled up and burnt in the middle of the roads to discourage movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

Glass shards littered all the major roads of the city and mobil oil were splattered on all the important roads.

Commercial activities came to a grinding halt and all inter district buses and passenger vehicles stayed off the roads.

Flight services however were not disrupted.

Being a Sunday today added to the desolate look on the road as all government offices and private run establishment s remained closed for the day.

Amongst others, effigies of PM, Home Minister and Mr Muivah were consigned to the flames at Singjamei Thong Wangma, Kongba Khsetri Leikai, Kwakeithel Morinag Purel Liekai, Brahmapur Nahabam Leikai, Koirengei, Kangjabi Machin, Khoyathong near Pukhri Achouba, Khurai Thangjam Leikai, Keishamthong, Khurai, North AOC, RIMS Kongba Khunou, Member of the Kabui took part in burning the effigy at Kongba Khunou.

After sunset a large number of people came out and set afire a number of effigies and old and discarded tyres along Tiddim road stretching from Keishampat crossing to Kwakeithel.

The general strike was also complete in Thoubal, Bishnupur and Churachandpur.

All commercial centres were closed in Churachandpur town.

Save for a few vehicles now and then all stayed off the road.

Moirang and Bishnupur bazar were deserted.

Except for bandh supporters and security personnel everyone stayed indoors.

A COHR functionary, Konsam Phunindro was beaten up by IRB personnel at Singjamei Bazar after he asked the security personnel to take it easy against the bandh supporters.

The Khangabok Kendra Students� Welfare Association will stage a dharna at Khangabok bazar tomorrow.

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