Imphal, May 14: Burning of effigies of the Chief Minister and Director General of Police and road blockades at various points marked the 24 hour general strike called by the Manipur forward Youth Front (Mafyf) to protest detention of its president Sapamcha Kangleipal under the National Security Act.

At the time of filing this report there was no information of any major incident related to the strike which will end at midnight of May 14 .

With exception of a few private vehicles like two-wheelers and car/jeep scurrying through the near empty streets passenger carriers ceased service thereby resulting in a barren look of the normally congested commercial areas.

Inter-district and inter-State buses also stopped service during the strike period.

The latter was supposed to start service from today after a 10 day lay off.

While educational institutions declared holiday in view of the agitation call, Government offices also recorded below average attendance.

As in other places suspected strike supporters burnt tyres at Nongada Thongkhong along the Imphal-Ukhrul road this morning to foil movement of vehicular traffic.

About a hundred strike supporters including several meira paibis who were enforcing the agitation call at Nongada area were dispersed after a commando team rushed there and bursts tear-gas.

About two of the tear gas canisters landed at the residential compound of Kangleipal, who hails from Nongada Thongkhong.

No injuries or damage of properties resulted as the consequence of the tear gas firing.

Amid slogans for unconditional release of Kangleipal, meira paibi activists burnt effigies of the Chief Minister and DGP at Khurai Sajor Leikai area along the Tinsid Road.

Similar scenes were also witnessed at some places in Sagolband and Sekmaijin areas while volunteers of Singjamei unit of anti-narcotics/alcohol campaigners CADA blocked roads and smashed wind-shields of some vehicles for defying the strike call.

Felled trees and burnt tyres also impeded vehicular movement along the Lamshang-Lairenkabi route.

It may be noted that Kangleipal was pulled up from the Manipur Press Club premises on May 7 for alleged inflammatory comments against the Government.

After he was released on bail by the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate yesterday, a police team re-arrested the MAFYF leader soon after brief freedom and sent to jail under the NSA.

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