Ukl, CCpur, Tml, July 17 2009: Normal live in the five hill districts of Manipur remained crippled today, following the 12 hours general strike imposed by the Indigenous Democratic Front (IDF) from 6 am to 6pm, demanding early election to the Autonomous District Councils.

At Ukhrul, all shops downed shutters while attendance in Government offices was thin.

Vehicles stayed off the road and inter State bus service suspended service for the day.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, general secretary of IDF, WS Shimray, questioned the tribal MLAs about their promise made during their electioneering regarding early conduct of ADC election.

President of IDF, Ngachonmi Chamroy, also questioned the sincerity of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) and the SPF Government.

WS Shimray also thanked the TKS, TMNL, TSL, TNWL, THYSO, HKL and all the IDF volunteers for extending their cooperation in making the 12 hours bandh a success.

The bandh also affected normal life in Churachandpur.

Except for the stray movements and security vehicles, the streets in the proper township of Lamka remained deserted.

However in some adjoining localities the bandh was not that effective as shops and vendors managed to carry on their normal business.

Educational institutions and emergency service were exempted from the bandh purview but most of the schools observed the day as a holiday, anticipating transportation snag for its students.

Calling their bandh call a success and thanking the public for their co-operation, the district executive of IDF later today told a press conference that their agitation will continue, until that time, the Government declares a definite date for the ADC election.

The bandh call today was part of their agitation in demanding the implementation of the Constitutional mandate for the hill tribes of the district, but the immediate purpose, was to press the HAC that will be meeting tomorrow to adopt the ADC agendas without any amendment, they said.

On the often conflicting stands adopted by different groups championing ADC elections, IDF's Vice President Mangnchinkhup said, it was due to the encroachment of narrow minded politics.

Those who perceive our cause in a narrow communal angle will not espouse us, he said.

Normal life in Tamenglong district was also thrown out of gear today due to the 12 hours general strike called by the Indigenous Democratic Front (IDF) .

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