Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, June 26 2009:
Normal life in four of the five hill districts of Manipur was affected today due to the 24-hour bandh call given by a local committee demanding the holding of early elections to the autonomous district councils.
Markets, shops and business establishments were closed and transport services at several places were cancelled in parts of the four hill districts of Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel.
However, the bandh did not have much impact in Churachandpur district as the same was relaxed in the district following an appeal by the Manipur Tribal Council in connection with a two-day long seminar which kick-started from today.
Transport services between Manipur and neighbouring States were also cancelled as major portion of the Imphal Dimapur-Guwahati National Highway 39 passes through hill areas of the State.
Six passenger buses however arrived in Imphal with security escorts.
No untoward incidents were reported during the bandh hours but reports collected from districts headquarters said no inter-district passenger buses arrived from Imphal for the day except in Churachandpur district where the strike was reported relaxed on the request of the Manipur Tribal Council (MTC) in view of the two-day seminar organised by the Council at Synod Hall, Churachandpur beginning from today.
Even though, it was reported that the general strike has been called off as informed by the MTC in some section of the media in Imphal owing to the suspension of the services of the inter-district passengers buses, normal life in four districts, Senapati, Chandel, Ukhrul and Tamenglong affected.
A report from Mao Gate in Manipur-Nagaland border said that only six inter-state buses coming from Dimapur side proceeded towards Imphal with security escorts while hundreds of goods ferrying trucks and buses stranded at the border.
Attendance in government offices in five hill districts of Senapati, Tamenglong, Ukhrul, Chandel and Churachandpur was reported to be below normal, sources said adding that, the strike was called by autonomous district council election demand committee.