Imphal, January 15: Vehicular movement along the National Highway No 39 was severely affected as infuriated people imposed wildcat bandh at Thoubal Bazar to protest disappearance of a forty four year old man after he was allegedly picked up from his residence by uniformed men.

The man whose whereabouts remain unknown is identified as one Takhellambam Dhanachandra alias Boro of Thoubal Wangma Taba Mathak Leikai.

Dhanachandra is said to be a social worker.

The Joint Action Committee formed in the backdrop of the disappearance has also imposed a 48 hour general strike in Thoubal district areas as the deadline of 6 pm served to the Chief Minister today to secure safe release of the man expired without any positive development.

The general strike will be effective from midnight of January 15 till 17.However, a meeting has been scheduled tomorrow morning between the JAC representatives and Thoubal SP at the official quarter of Thoubal district Deputy Commissioner to deliberate on matter and future course of action.

When queried, some JAC members warned of pursuing intense agitation if State authorities fail to secure safe and sound release of the man.

According to eye witness account, the uniformed personnel picked up Dhanachandra in the wee hours of January 14 without issuing any arrest memo.

Dhanachandra is a married man and has two children.

According to Dhanachandra�s wife Sorojini about 30 uniformed men knocked down the door at around 1 am and whisked away her husband.

The captors consisting of both Hindi and Meiteilon speaking men not only ransacked household goods but also thrashed Boro�s elder brother Brojen and took away one WLL telephone.

Sorojini further narrated that when she question to which army post the uniformed men belong and why her husband is being arrested, the captors replied that they are from the �hill� and Boro is suspected to be linked with an underground organisation.

The armed men are also said to have warned the family members to not make any hue and cry to avoid undesired consequences and that Boro will be returned home without any harm.

Fearing for the security of Boro the family members inspite of lodging a complaint on the matter to the Thoubal SP yesterday itself kept the matter under warp from public knowledge, according to Sorojini.

Nevertheless, as news spread of the arrest and subsequent missing of Dhanachandra local people erupted in anger and resorted to road blockade.

The Thoubal public peeved at the arrest and lack of information on whereabouts of Boro chocked traffic beyond the district headquarters bazar till late afternoon but later allowed stranded vehicles in view of the general strike coming into effect from midnight.

Even as the road blockade was on a hurriedly convened meeting attended by State ADGP, CO of 28 Assam rifles stationed at Thoubal, IGP (LO-I), Thoubal SP and representatives of the JAC was held at the office chamber of Thoubal DC P Vaiphei.

The JAC representatives besides demanding safe and sound release of Dhanachandra are also informed to have conveyed to the officials regarding the general strike call.

Press sources also disclosed of the Assam Rifles CO informing that no personnel from his battalion had moved out on the intervening night of January 13-14 but assured of necessary measures to find out whether any other Assam Rifles personnel are involved in the early morning raid.

On the other hand, the ADGP Y Joykumar informing the JAC members of all out police department efforts to ascertain facts behind the arrest also appealed to the agitators not to enforce the general strike as it could not only create inconveniences to the general public but also hamper police investigation.

While urging the public to extend cooperation to the police in tracing Dhanachandra, DC P Vaiphei also convened the meeting slated for 9 am tomorrow at his official quarter.

On their side the JAC member are informed to have assured the officials of calling off the agitation only if Dhanachandra is released safe and sound before the meeting ends failing which they have no other alternative but resort to various forms of agitation to protest the forced disappearance.

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