Imphal, July 17 2009: Windshields of more than 10 inter-state passenger buses and two goods carrying trucks were damaged on the NH-39 at Kangpokpi by miscreants suspected to be supporters of the 12-hour general strike in the hills imposed by Indigenous Democratic Front (IDF).

Normal life was affected due to two different general strikes called by different students and civil organizations.

Around 20 goods ferrying trucks were also stranded at Khuzuma gate of Nagaland bordering with Manipur owing to the indefinite economic blockade imposing by the All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM), commenced from Thursday.

Amidst the 120 hour general strikes imposed by Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) commenced from yesterday and another 12 hour general strike across the five hill districts imposed by Indigenous Democratic Front (IDP) affected the normal life in the state.

Bandh supporters pelted stones and broken down windshields of as many as 10 inter-state buses at Kangpokpi on the Imphal-Mao section of the NH-39 this morning at around 8 am.

Most of the smashed buses were heading Imphal from Dimapur side except four leaving Imphal this early morning for their respective destinations outside the state.

No severely injuries reported to the passengers travelling with the buses but many of them received minor injuries by the broken glass pieces falling inside the buses and by the stones.

Buses were travelling with security escorts but strike supporters performed the attacks with catapults from windows of the houses located nearby the highway.

Stones were thrown from inside the house using catapult.

One of the stones hit me at my right shoulder after breaking the windshields on my side," said passengers who were the bus, suffered damaged in the stoning.

They also blamed the security forces of doing nothing to prevent the strikers attacking the buses even though they witnessed the stoning.

Two loaded trucks were also smashed by the suspected blockade supporters at Kangpokpi areas this morning.

The trucks were coming together with buses, reports said.

Meanwhile, around 20 trucks loaded with essential commodities were stranded at Khuzuma near Mao gate on the NH-39 owing to the indefinite economic blockade imposed on the national highways passing through the state.

Some of them stranded since yesterday while others arrived today, a police report from Moa gate said.

Life was severely affected in the hill districts of the state due to the 12-hour general strike in the hill districts commenced from 5 am this morning colliding with the 120-hour state-wide general strike, reports received from the district headquarters said.

Inter-district buses have not been arriving from Imphal from yesterday and all business establishments, shops and marketing places remained closed apart from plying only a few private vehicles, reports received from Churachandpur, Tamenglong, Senapati said.

However, less affective bandh reported from Ukhrul and Chandel district.

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