Manipur: 24 Hour Bandh Called by Maoist Communist Party Hits Normal Life

Guwahati: Normal Life was affected in Manipur, by a 24-hour general strike imposed by the Maoist Communist Party

The strike, which began at midnight on Sunday, was called to express the frustration of the state’s indigenous people whose culture and voices have allegedly been ignored by the government for long.

Teachers and staff of government schools and colleges attended their institutions but classes were not held as there were no students.Government departments remained open.

Transport services were paralysed, except a few auto services in Imphal city.

Oil pumps were shut down. A few petrol pumps and shops were opened here in the presence of police personnel. However, they were shut down after the police left.

A scooter was set ablaze near Waithou Bazar in Thoubal district around 4am by strike supporters, police said.

The Manipur government had directed all state departments to take measures to ensure proper functioning of government offices, educational institutions, business establishments and transport service during the strike.

It had directed all administrative secretaries and heads of departments to ensure attendance in all their offices and subordinate units and send attendance reports to the administrative departments.

The government also instructed all shops and establishments to remain open during the strike and operators to make transportation operational.

Ima market and shops in Imphal city were closed. A few street vendors were seen vending by roadsides. “Only a handful of vendors turned up today. I couldn’t stay at home because I have children to feed,” said a woman vendor.

“We have to go office though we are afraid to go out during the strike. However, there was no work,” an employee of the education department office here said.

The Maoists are demanding reconstruction of Mongba Hanba Khubam and Khurai Ahong Pung shrines here.

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