General strike affects normal life in Manipur

IMPHAL: Normal life was today affected by 12-hour general strike in Manipur called by state CPI unit to press for its demands, including implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) and complete withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), official sources said.

Markets, transport services and business establishments remained closed in view of the strike, sources said, adding that private vehicles were, however, plying on the roads.

Several passengers were stranded at different places as the transport services between Imphal and district headquarters and with neighbouring states were cancelled as the strike was declared last evening.

A CPI spokesman said the strike was also in protest against the alleged 'high-handedness of the police forces who broke a CPI-sponsored rally which were marching towards the state assembly yesterday to protest against what it called 'mis-governance' of the Congress government in the state.

He said a CPI volunteer was also injured when police burst teargas shells.

Other demands of the CPI include holding of peace talks with militant outfits without any condition, setting up protection forces for the national highways and opposition of the proposed privatisation of the health and power sectors in the state, the spokesman said.

Official reports said educational institutions were closed and attendance in government offices was reported 'thin' due to cancellation of public transport services. Banks and air services remained unaffected, sources said, adding no untoward incident was, however, reported so far.