Imphal, January 30: Even as the 24-hour total bandh being called by the Sadar Hills Demand Committee in pursuance of its demand to grant district status to Sadar Hills will come into effect from midnight tomorrow, the JAC for 5th and 6th IRB Battalion Waiting List Candidates has also announced its decision of imposing a 24-hour State wide general strike with effect from 5 am of February 1 since the Government has failed to provide appointment orders within the set deadline.

Reaffirming its stand of imposing a 24-hour total bandh in Sadar Hills area with effect from midnight of January 31 to midnight of February 1, the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee has categorically stated that the bandh is being called to protest nonfulfilment of the State Govt's commitment to creation of Sadar Hills as a full-fledged district.

During the total bandh, all essential services like medical, electricity, water supply, fire services, etc would be relaxed, said general secretary of Sadar Hills District Demand Committee Thangkam Misao said in a statement.

The Demand Committee has appealed to all sections of the society including social organisations, line buses, trucks, etc to support the total bandh.

The Demand Committee further warned of taking recourse to various intense form of agitation in case the Government fails to fulfil its demands.

The demands include inclusion of the commitment of the Government to upgrade Sadar Hills to a full-fledged district in the inaugural address of the Governor to the forthcoming Manipur State Legislative Assembly session slated to commence from February 1, declaration of Sadar Hills district during the Assembly session itself, to exclude implementation of Panchayati Raj Act in Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council, etc.

On the other hand, with the January 30 deadline served to the Government for providing appointment orders to the candidates in the waiting list of 5th and 6th battalion over, the JAC for 5th and 6th Battalion Waiting List Candidates has announced its decision of imposing a 24-hour State wide general strike with effect from 5 am of February 1 to 5 am of February 2.Medical, religious function, water supply, electricity, fire services and media would be exempted from the purview of the bandh, JAC secretary Kh Brojen Singh said in a statement, adding that the Government should be held responsible for any untoward incident that may occur during the course of the general strike.

Meanwhile, the JAC formed in connection with the death of Toijam Ningol Oinam Ongbi Shanti Devi w/o Oinam Omejit of Charangpat Mamang Leikai in a suspicious manner on January 8 has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister today announcing its decision of calling a 24-hour bandh along Indo-Burma Road in Thoubal District with effect from 5 am of February 1 as the Government has fails to do justice and find out the truth of the matter with the set deadline of January 30.No vehicle should ply on the said route and all the shops should remain shut down during the bandh.

However, students, media, medical, water supply and electricity would be exempted from the purview of the bandh, the JAC said in a statement.

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