Govt fire fights to counter massive strike
Imphal Valley Remains Paralysed On 2nd Day Of JAC Strike; Press Persons Harassed During Stir
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 29 2015: The 38-hour general strike called by the JAC formed to seek justice for the killing of Sapam Robinhood ended at 7 pm on Wednesday with scores injured in confrontations with police personnel and security forces.

Heavily outnumbered policemen were seen miserably fire-fighting at several places while the strike enforcers got the upper-hand.

There are complaints of several presspersons being mocked, harassed and not allowed to move around during the strike.

The strike supporters who had converged at many places were not obviously briefed to give the media persons unfettered access everywhere to discharge their duty.

2nd Day Of JAC Strike

Meanwhile, hospitals have appealed the strike supporters not to harass doctors, nurses and paramedics in any manner.

There had been reports of damaging cars of doctors and paramedics or forcing them to return home.

Even the medical stores were seen shut.

A doctor said that even during war, medical staff are given free movement.

In case of injuries among the strike supporters, timely medical aids cannot be given if such behavior continues.

Strike Roundup .

One van was damaged at Singjamei when the driver who came with an ambulance sticker told the activists that he was going to pick up a doctor.

Once his lie was detected, activists started pelting stones and he somehow escaped.

Some persons who had tried to force through the barricades saying that they were going to hospitals were forced to squat for 20 minutes or so when it was established that they were telling lies.

Tyre and logs were burned and women's dress hung up across the roads to prevent people from proceeding.

Hundreds of persons had walked towards Keishamthong and joined hands with those already stationed there.

When they tried to march ahead, police fired tear gas canisters during which some persons sustained injuries.

One elderly person who was inside his house at Keishamthong was injured in the thigh when a shell was fired inside his house.

The strike enforcers said that the movement cannot be dampened with the arrest of students and police high handedness.

2nd Day Of JAC Strike

Many parts of Thoubal District were also paralysed when women came out on the streets and blocked National Highway � 2 .

They did not permit anyone to drive along the roads.

Moirang and other townships were also affected on the last day of the strike.

They said that the Chief Minister who has failed to implement the ILP ought to resign.

Vehicles were stopped and the passengers were forced to walk.

It has been reported that one Meira Paibi woman leader of Bishnupur District was hospitalised when a speeding vehicle hit her.

Normal life in Jiribam was also affected as a result of the general strike.

All vehicles bound for Imphal, Silchar and other destinations were off the road.

Banks, government offices, markets and commercial establishments were closed during the general strike.

People at Hatta and Kangla Tongbi also came out on the streets to enforce general strike.

No vehicle was allowed to ply.

Besides there were sit in protests at Kangla Tongbi.

There were wide spread protests at Tera, Irom Pukhri Mapal, Ayangpalli, Khurai and Thawan Thaba areas and normal life came to a standstill.

Meanwhile, JCILPS has clarified that it did not impose blockade on the Imphal Ukhrul road.

Since the JAC realises that people are taken for a ride, the general strike was called.

Though the government had announced the institution of the judicial inquiry into the killing of Robinhood, M.Binoy the retired justice is reported to be out of station and this meant that there is no immediate plan to begin the inquiry, said activists.

Meanwhile, women of Pungdongbam have asked the JCILPS not to hold talks with the government over the burning issue as they fear that after the talks, the agitation might get stalled.