Imphal, December 06: Normal life was severely affected by the 36 hour general strike called by the Jiribam District Demand Committee demanding upgradation of Jiribam sub-division into a full fledged revenue district.

Business establishments at Khwairamband market and other major commercial centres remained closed.

All educational institutions were also closed.

Apart from some vehicles on emergency and ceremonial services, all vehicles stayed off the road.

However, flight service was unaffected by the general strike.

The demand for conversion of Jiribam sub-division into a revenue district turned into violent agitation after the State Cabinet which met on November 27 failed to adopt a positive decision to fulfil the aspirations of Jiribam people.

In the subsequent agitation, some schools and Government offices located in the sub-division were set afire by unidentified persons.

Meanwhile, altogether six auto-rickshaws and two Tata trucks were vandalised today at Bishnupur and Moirang by suspected supporters of the bandh called by the Jiribam District Demand Committee.

Moreover, some scooters met with accidents because of oil spilled over roads at Moirang Khunou by suspected bandh supporters.

Even as two volunteers of AMSU Bishnupur District Committee were pulled up by police, they were released later.

On the other hand, the Jiribam District Demand Committee has flayed the statement of Chief Minister O Ibobi that the demand for upgrading Jiribam into a full fledged revenue district was justified and the conversion of the sub-division into a district would be announced at an opportune time.

It termed the remark of the Chief Minister as a ploy to dupe the people of Jiribam.

A statement issued by the Committee asserted that there has been no objection from the Sadar Hills Demand Committee against the demand to convert Jiribam into a revenue district.

It further questioned the Chief Minister was the chairman of the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee.

It further demanded publications to the public of the complications being experienced by the State Cabinet, if there is any, to grant full fledged revenue district to Jiribam sub-division.

While asserting that the State Government should be accountable for all the acts of arson and vandalism committed by the furious people of Jiribam, it also appealed to all the individuals and organisations to stop all destructive activities like burning of office buildings.

Saying that it had noted the vehicle numbers of the vehicles plying on NH 53 with the help of security escorts defying the economic blockade, it declared that befitting actions would be taken up against the vehicle owners and drivers who defied the blockade even after the end of the blockade.

It further appealed to all vehicle drivers and owners not to defy the blockade in future.

Clarifying on its act of erasing sign boards written with the word Manipur and its declaration to join Assam in case the State Government fails to honour its demand, the Committee said that the acts were in response to the indifferent attitude of the State Government towards the plight of Jiribam people and their long standing demand.

It further conveyed deep regret if the statement and actions of Jiribam people had hurt the sentiments of the people of Manipur.

The Committee clarified that its actions and words were only a means but not an end in itself nor its objectives.

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