Manipur bandh partially affects normal life

Normal life was partially hit for the second day on Friday in the state, particularly in the valley districts, due to a 48-hour general strike by students’ bodies demanding unconditional release of students and teachers of Manipur University, official sources said.

Fifteen teachers and students of Manipur University were arrested by police on September 21 following a complaint by newly-appointed Acting Vice Chancellor K Yugindro Singh.

Singh had alleged he was “gheraoed” by some students and teachers for assuming the charge of VC of the central university.

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The strike is not being supported by tribal students’ bodies and life in the hill districts remained normal, the sources said.

Tight security has been put in place and CRPF personnel have been deployed at Singjamei, in the vicinity of the Manipur University campus at Canchipur, Palace Compound and Keisampat areas in Greater Imphal area, officials said.

State forces too remained vigilant to prevent any untoward incident and enforce the prohibitory orders under section 144 (prohibition of gathering of more than four persons) of CrPC in Imphal West.

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Attendance in offices improved remarkably on the second day of the agitation as the concerned authorities and the state chief secretary J Suresh Babu had issued orders that strong “disciplinary action” would be taken against those failing to show up. As a result, staff also reported in educational institutions but classes were not held.

Traffic movement on roads was also better compared to the bandh’s first day. Public transport, however, stayed off the roads. Inter-district and inter-state transport was affected.

Many fuel stations opened with protection from security personnel at Uripok, Moirangkhom and Yumnam Leikai localities.

The major markets of Paona and Thangal remained closed, with only a few women vendors selling vegetables. People were seen rushing to purchase essentials in the evening.