Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 07, 2010:
The dawn to dusk countrywide general strike called by various trade unions against rising prices of essential commodities among others evoked a mixed response in Manipur.
While traffic in the streets remained normal, most of the business centres and markets closed for the day.
During the strike that began at 6 am and ended at 6 pm, long-distance and inter-city buses remained off the roads fearing attacks by strike supporters.
The situation was normal in the hill areas and other parts except in the urban areas of Bishnupur and Thoubal districts, police sources said.
In Imphal, all market places and shopping centres remained closed but two-wheelers and light vehicles including taxi services were seen plying normally.
At Singjamei area along the Indo-Myanmar section of NH-39, strike supporters took to the street and blocked the highway.
However, police dispersed them and normal traffic resumed.
The dawn to dusk general strike was called by eight major trade unions, including INTUC and the trade unions affiliated to the Left parties with the supports of nine national level political parties, protesting against price rise, violation of labour laws and disinvestment of public sector units (PSUs) in the country.
In Manipur, Co-ordination Committee of Trade Union of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) imposed the strike with the support of various local labours' bodies.
Convener of the Co-ordination Committee of Trade Union, Manipur state unit, L Sotinkumar claimed that as many as 90 different bodies including those of rickshaw pullers, drivers, women vendors of Khwai market etc.
extended support to the general strike.
The state unit of the trade unions are demanding a roll back of the prices of goods, to take appropriate actions against businessmen selling goods at exorbitant rates, to ensure PDS items reach the beneficiaries, development of NH-39, 53 and 150 into four-lane highways, stop the collection of illegal taxes on the national highways and setting up of a highway protection force, etc.