48 hrs bandh concludes sans untoward cases
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 03 2019: Although the 48 hours general strike called by the JAC Against the Mysterious Death of N Babysana would come to end at 6 am tomorrow, normal life has returned to the valley districts since this evening, bringing the general strike to an end literally.

The 48 hours general strike came into effect from 6 am of Monday.

As part of the 48 hours all Manipur bandh, Meira Paibis and local club volunteers of Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai burned effigies of Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Principal of Standard Robarth Hr Secondary School Ph Landhoni, today.

Like on the first day, normal life was severely affected in all the valley districts today too.

The general strike was called urging the Chief Minister to go to Delhi and hand over the case of Babysana to CBI and release all arrested JAC members and other protesters.

48 hrs bandh concludes sans untoward cases

For the second consecutive day, Khwairamband Keithel and all adjoining market places were totally deserted.

Shops, private establishments and educational institutions remained shut.

Attendance at Government offices was quite low.

There was no inter-State or inter-district passenger services although flight service was not affected.

Although public transporters stayed off the road, there was movement of some private vehicles.

In addition to security measures taken up by police at different locations of Imphal and greater Imphal areas, fire tenders of Manipur Fire Service were kept on stand by to meet any eventuality.

Normal life was severely affected in Bishnupur, Kakching and Thoubal districts too on account of the general strike.

Even though the general strike received little response in hill districts, normal life was affected to some extent as there was no passenger service from and to hill district headquarters and Imphal.

Even though the general strike is supposed to end at 6 am tomorrow, a considerable number of people including vendors started gathering at Khwairamband Keithel and adjoining markets just before dusk today.

However, all the shops of Thangal Keithel, Paona Keithel and Thangmeiband Road remained shut throughout the day.

Notably, 14 year old N Babysana was found hung to death inside a hostel of Standard Robarth Higher Secondary School, Canchipur in the morning of July 18 under suspicious circumstances.

Speaking to media persons after burning the effigies of N Biren and Ph Landhoni, Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai Meira Paibi secretary Phijam Rashi said that after the JAC co-convenor (who is also the president of Naharol Leishemba Club) Leishangthem Pratap was arrested for taking part in the protest demanding justice for Babysana, he has been on an indefinite hunger strike inside the jail.

However, even to this day, the State Government has not taken up any step to deliver justice to the mysterious death of Babysana, she said.

Naharol Leishemba Club general secretary Naoroibam Bikramjit cautioned that if any unfortunate incident befalls Leishangthem Pratap due to his deteriorating health condition, Meira Paibis and youth clubs will launch intense agitation.

On the other hand, Women Welfare Association, Langdum, staged a sit-in-protest at Soibung Keithel, Langdum today demanding justice for Babysana.

Speaking to media persons on the sideline of the protest, the association's secretary, Arambam Bala Leima, said that the failure of the authorities to establish facts and circumstances leading to the death of Babysana and award befitting punishment to the culprits is rather unfortunate.

She then demanded the Government to stop using police forces to suppress the voice of the people, and announced that the association will fully support any steps taken up by the JAC in the future.