Imphal, August 07: To protest the exclusion of L Monika from the Olympic squad on the charge that she tested positive for a banned substance, the United Committee Manipur has imposed a 22 hour State wide bandh from 10 pm of today which will be in force till 8 pm tomorrow while the ACOAM Lup has also imposed a 24 hour general strike with effect from 12 midnight today.

Addressing the media at its office today, UCM vice president Chittaranjan said that even before the controversial result of the dope test the selection process of women weight lifter for the Beijing Olympics was mired in controversy as there arose a big difference between the Weight Lifting Federation of India and the Union Sports Ministry.

Even differences arose over the selection of the coach, he recalled.

Earlier, UCM had set the deadline of 6 pm today (August 7) for the Sports Authority of India to make amends and settle the matter.

But since the deadline has lapsed, it is constrained to go ahead with the general strike, he added.

The All Manipur Rickshaw Drivers' and Pullers' Welfare Association has also imposed a bandh from 10 pm today till 7 pm tomorrow.

Meanwhile ACOAM Lup's decision to impose the 24-hour State-wide general strike midnight was announced today by its president Indrakumar Ningombam during a press meet held at the office of the organisation.

Indrakumar informed the media that medical and education will be relaxed during the general strike.

He however urged people related to medical and education institutions to extend their best co-operation.

Taking part in the press conference, ACOAM Lup Finance secretary Tourangbam Indrajit urged that the other State sportspersons representing India in the Olympic Games to withdraw from the games if the dope test of Monika comes out to be incorrect.

Indrajit said that the recent case of Monika is proof that the Indian mainstream is discriminating the people of the Northeast.

He also demanded a 'white paper on the dope test as the weightlifter has claimed innocence.

Indrajit further warned that the association will take up various agitation if the State Government fails to press the Centre, SAI and related sports bodies to bring out a 'white paper' publicly.

The finance secretary also expressed disstaisfac-tion to SAI for being not able to inform the weightlifter regarding the result of the test before 48 hours of her departure.

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