Shutdown affects normal life
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 25 2025: The 24-hour shutdown called by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) to protest the alleged custodial death of 27-year-old Khoisnam Sanajaoba brought normal life to a standstill in the valley districts.

Major market places like Khwairamband Keithel, Paona Keithel, and Thangal Keithel wore a deserted look as shops remained closed during the shutdown.

Although some street vendors sold vegetables at Khwairamband Keithel in the morning, the marketplace remained largely deserted due to the shutdown.

While most private institutions remained closed for the day, Government offices functioned as usual.

Vehicular traffic was also minimal due to the shutdown.

It may be mentioned that Sanajaoba died on April 13 at JNIMS Casualty while he was in judicial custody.

Following his demise, the JAC submitted a memorandum to the Governor, demanding compensation including a Government job for the next of his kin.

In Thoubal, attendance at Government offices was low and important market places of the district viz Thoubal Keithel, Babu Keithel, Yairipok Tampha Keithel, Wangjing Tampha Keithel etc were closed.

Meanwhile, police officials said that shops, markets, business establishments and educational institutions were closed and all vehicles, except that of the security forces and emergency services, remained off the roads in the valley regions specially in Imphal East and Imphal West district.

"There is no major incident relating to the shutdown," a police official told IANS.

However, protesters blocked roads in Khurai Ningthoubung Leikai areas from where the victim hailed, and burnt tyres in the middle of roads to enforce the bandh.

Huge contingents of security forces were deployed in the entire Imphal valley regions specially in Imphal East and Imphal West district to prevent incidents.

Imphal East's District Magistrate Mayanglambam Rajkumar Singh on Thursday imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS ahead of a 24-hour bandh.

The JAC asserted that Khoisnam Sanajaoba was a "village volunteer" and was arrested by the State police on March 31 along with four others for their alleged association with a banned outfit.

The committee strongly condemned the Government's indifference to the custodial death and said such apathy has compelled them to intensify their agitation.

(With inputs from IANS) .

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