DESAM strike continues amid arson
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 17 2009: The 120 hours long general strike being imposed by DESAM, demanding release of the student activists being detained under NSA in connection with the murder of MU Proctor Prof Islamuddin, has been continuing amidst reports of arson.

The general strike being imposed since July 15 mid-night has severely affected normal life in the State.

With inter-district and inter-State buses staying off the roads and all major markets and commercial centres in and around Imphal remaining shut, normal life continues to reel under the paralysing effect.

There was sparse traffic of private vehicles, auto-rickshaws and other taxi services on the first day of the strike yesterday.

With transport services to/from schools suspended, majority of the schools remained closed yesterday.

Remains of an auto-rickshaw set ablaze by suspected bandh supporters during the general strike called by DESAM

The strike caused similar paralysing effect in Bishnupur and Thoubal districts too.

However, flight service was not affected.

Normal life in Jiribam sub-division was also severely affected by the ongoing strike.

Almost all Government offices, educational institutions, shops and markets were closed.

Though vehicular traffic along NH-53 was also disrupted, there is no report of any untoward incident, reports our Jiribam correspondent.

In spite of the strong security measures taken specifically to thwart any subversive activities in the course of the general strike, one diesel auto-rickshaw was set ablaze by suspected bandh supporters at Pourabi Mayai Leikai under Lamlai police station in Imphal East district at about 9 am today.

The incident took place when the owner cum driver of the auto-rickshaw Moirangthem Bishma (34) of Tiger Camp was returning from Imphal along with four passengers.

A large portion of the vehicle was burnt.

Another diesel auto-rickshaw was also burnt down by bandh supporters at Nambol Sabal Leikai at abut 1.45 pm today.

One auto-rickshaw (petrol) was also set afire by suspected bandh supporters at Yairipok Khoirom at about 4 pm yesterday.

The damaged vehicle belongs to Md Ahmad Ali (44) of Yairipok Changamdabi.

Two more auto-rickshaws were also set ablaze at Moirangkhom and Patsoi by suspected strike supporters.

According to the autorickshaw driver, Moirangthem Ningthou (36) of Ucheckon Takhok Mapal, he was returning back after taking a patient to Shija Hospitals when he was accosted by two unidentified persons at Khwairamband Keithel asking him to fetch a TV set from Moirangkhom at about 3.45 pm today.

At Moirangkhom, they asked the driver to come down from the vehicle before pouring petrol over the vehicle and setting it ablaze.

They also took away one mobile phone handset from Ningthou.

One of them told the auto-rickshaw driver to claim his mobile phone from DESAM headoffice.

After torching the vehicle, the arsonists fled away on a Honda Activa.

Hood and some portions of seats were burnt.

The suspected strike supporters also asked Ningthou to claim his mobile phone from DESAM headoffice.

The last incident of arson took place at Patsoi at about 5 pm.

There strike supporters burnt another auto-rickshaw.

The proscribed KYKL had claimed its hands in the killing of Prof Islamuddin on May 25 within Manipur University campus.

On the other hand, CBI has been investigating into the murder case.

Meanwhile, the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) has been imposing an indefinite economic blockade since the midnight of July 25 on the issue of ST reservation.

Suspected blockade supporters pelted stones and damaged two loaded trucks at Kangpokpi area along NH 39 at about 8 am today.

The two trucks and other vehicles were brought to Imphal under protection of security escorts.

It is reported that around 70 loaded trucks are being stranded at Mao Gate.