ILP Demand: General strike affects normal life
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 26 2014 : Normal life in Manipur came to a grinding halt on Saturday on account of the 18-hour State wide general strike called by the Joint Co-ordination on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) since last midnight.

The general strike which would be in force till 6 am tomorrow was called in protest against the police excesses on the student agitators as well to pres for passing a bill for implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Manipur in the ongoing session of the State Legislative Assembly which is due to end on July 28 .

While all the market places, shops and other business establishments remained shut down and vehicular traffic stayed off the roads during the general strike, a large number of people also came out on the roads in different parts of the State, more particularly in the four valley districts, to enforce the strike by burning tyres, erecting barricades and burning effigies of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.

Roads were also seen littered with broken glasses.

ILP Demand: General strike affects normal life

At various places, the protestors engaged in pitch battle with the police who retaliated with firing of tear gas canisters to disperse the protestors for clearing the road blockade.

At Lamlong in Imphal East district, some women protestors reportedly sustained injuries in the tear gas shelling of the police.

Six strike supporters were also reportedly picked up by the police from Thangmeiband area in Imphal West district this afternoon.

Our Kakching correspondent adds: The State-wide general strike called by the Joint Co-ordination Committee on Inner Line Permit System in Manipur severely affected normal life in Thoubal district today.

Bandh supporters blocked the roads by burning tyres and erecting barricades of bamboos and logs at various places of Thoubal district including Sugnu, Langmeidong, Wabagai, Kakching , Wangjing , Kiyam -Haokha, Okram, Thoubal Wangmataba ,Thoubhal Bazaar, Kshetri Leikai, Yairipok and Khangabok.

During the bandh, Kakching market remained deserted as shops remained shut and women vendors were off from their daily business transaction.

Students of Kakching Higher Secondary School and Kha-Manipur College, Kakching came out and gathered at Kakching market and resorted to road block, while 3000 students and teachers of KM.

Blooming School, Khangabok and Khangabok High School took part in the blockade of roads besides holding rallies in support of the general strike.

A team of Thoubal police personnel led by SDPO Modhunimai had a tough time in trying dispersed the agitated students.

Students of Khangabok High School also detained a vehicle belonging to BSF till SP of Thoubal district arrived to prevail upon them to release the vehicle.

Markets in Yairipok and Wangjing were also closed for the day.

Police used teargas cells to disperse the bandh supporters at Thoubal Wangmataba.

However, there were no reports of injuries. At Thoubal Okram, Police personnel reportedly forced agitators to clear the broken glasses sprayed on the roads.

Meanwhile, in addition to the impact of the State-wide general strike, vehicular movement in the hill districts, more particularly in Naga dominated areas remained stand still for the second consecutive day on account of the United Naga Council (UNC)'s sponsored 48 bandh.

The UNC bandh would conclude tonight.