General strike greets Pratibha Patil
Assembly sitting cut short to receive visiting President
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 10 2011:
President of India, Pratibha Devi Singh Patil arrived in Imphal this afternoon only to be greeted by empty streets.
The President arrived at Imphal at 2 pm.
Governor, Gurbachan Jagat, Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh, Speaker I Hemochandra, ministers, MLAs, GOC DS Hooda of 57 Mountain Division and top civil and police officials of the state government received her at Imphal airport.
Before proceeding to the Raj Bhavan, she inspected a guard of honour given by a contingent of women personnel of the Manipur Police.
At Raj Bhavan, she held separate meetings with the Governor and the Chief Minister.
She also had meetings with chairpersons of the Manipur State Commission for Women and Social Welfare Advisory Board apart from having an audience with an ex-serviceman from Ukhrul district.
Later in the evening, she attended a cultural programme at the Darbar hall of the Raj Bhavan.
Tomorrow, the President will lay the foundation stone for the Information Technology Park and inaugurate the State Data Centre (SDC).
The President will also launch the State Wide Area Network (SWAN) in the IR Park at Manipukhri.
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Today's budget session was shortened to 25 minutes as the House agreed with the Chief Minister's proposal for an early conclusion of the sitting so that members of the House could attend the reception of President at Imphal airport.
MLA, O Joy observed that the President's visit during the budget is a rare occasion and said the CM should request the President to address the House.
He said, her appearance would create history and he also said that the President should mention on the AFSPA.
In this way her visit would be a meaningful one.
Due to the 40-hour general strike called by MPLF, streets in Imphal wore a deserted look.
All shops, business establishments and private institutes remained closed on the first day of the strike which will continue till 4 pm tomorrow.
Long distance buses stayed off the road and commercial vehicles suspended services for the day.
There were no reports of any untoward incidents during the general strike, police said.