Imphal, May 07 2010: The 48 hours general strike called by the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) in protest against the planned visit of NSCN (IM) General Secretary Th Muivah to Manipur has been slashed to 24 hours.

As such, the general strike which came into effect from 6 pm yesterday ended at 6 pm today on a peaceful note.

Briefing media persons about their office today, AMUCO president KT Rehman announced that the 48 hours general strike called against the planned visit of Muivah to Manipur has been shortened to 24 hours in view of the difficulties being encountered by the people.

In view of the ongoing economic blockade on National Highways, suspension of transport service, unavailability of petrol and diesel, unavailability of essential commodities or rise of prices of essential commodities even if available and other woes, the general strike has been shortened to 24 hours, Rehman said.

Nonetheless, the AMUCO, together with the people, will take up all measures and do what is necessary to safeguard Manipur until NSCN (IM) General Secretary Th Muivah drop his plan of visiting Manipur with the intention of disintegrating the State.

KT Rehman said that AMUCO condoled the death of three sons of the soil as well the injuries caused to many others at Mao as a result of the Government of India's conspiracy to break up Manipur.

AMUCO strongly condemned the clearance given by the Government of India to Th Muivah to visit Manipur.

The Government of India should be held responsible for any eventuality arising out of the clearance given to Th Muivah, Rehman asserted.

The 48 hours general strike (later slashed to 24 hours) called by the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation against Thuingaleng Muivah's proposed visit to Manipur as well as against the clearance given by the Government of India for the sojourn went off without any unwanted incidents.

During the general strike, protest demonstrations were staged at different places of Manipur valley where effigies of Muivah and relevant Union Ministers were burnt.

Normal was severely affected by the 24 hours strike called by AMUCO after a joint meeting with other organisations and Meira Paibis.

Our Jiribam correspondent reports that normal life in Jiribam sb-division was completely paralysed by the general strike.

Unlike previous general strikes where boulders, timbers and burning tyres were put across roads, no such scenes were observed during today's general strike.

Nevertheless, there was no public transport service and the number of private vehicles was greatly reduced.

Educational institutions and all major markets including Khwairamband Keithel remained shut.

However, there was no report of any untoward incident.

But protest demonstrations were staged at different places where effigies of the NSCN (IM) General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram were burnt.

Such protest demonstrations were observed at Nongmeibung Ngangbam Chuthek, Khurai Heikru Makhong, Kakwa, Naoremthong, Keishamthong, Chingamakha and Nambol.

A similar massive protest demonstration was also staged at Thoubal Mela Ground by members of different Meira Paibi organisations, local clubs, students and civil organisations based in Thoubal district.

The protesters put up placards which read as "Give up communal disposition", "India Government, don't plot to disintegrate Manipur", "Let's stand united to save Manipur", "All leaders must safeguard integrity of Manipur", "NSCN (IM) leader Muivah cannot come to Manipur" etc.