Imphal, February 19 2009: Following the twin 48 hours State-wide bandh called by the JAC constituted against the killing of Kasom Khullen SDO and his two staff and the ACOAM-Lup with support from a horde of civil organisations and student bodies, normal life was virtually put to a halt for the second day today.

The second day saw more stringent enforcement of the bandh marked by torching of vehicles by bandh supporters and firing of tear gas shells by police.

Following untsinted support announced by the Apunba Lup and the 12 hours general strike called by AMSU from 6 am to 6 pm today, the bandh was more extensive and complete today.

Despite the strong security measures taken up by the Government, road blocks were put up in almost all localities of Imphal and greater Imphal areas in addition to blocking important highways including Tidim Road, Imphal-Moreh road, Imphal-Dimapur road, Imphal-Jiribam road etc.

The bandh supporters used boulders, trees, timbers and burnt tyres on roads to enforce the bandh.

Wind shields and window panes of several vehicles coming out in violation of the bandh were smashed by bandh supporters at Sagolband Bijoy Govinda along Imphal-Jiribam road, Pal Ahanbi along Imphal-Moreh road and Khurai along Imphal-Ukhrul road.

Moreover, one motorcycle was also torched near Khurai Thangjam Pukhri Mapal by bandh supporters.

Not only Khiwairamband Keithel, all commercial centres and markets in Imphal and greater Imphal areas including Tera Keithel, Lamlong Keithel and Pureiromba Keithel bore a deserted look for the second consecutive day.

While schools and colleges remained closed for the second day, attendance at Government offices was minimal.

2nd dayToday's bandh affected also normal life in the interior areas of Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur and Thoubal districts.

With all the inter-district passengers vehicles staying off roads, market places in all the district headquarters bore deserted looks.

Besides road blocks put up at almost all the important road and streets, the second day of the bandh saw protest demonstrations staged right in the middle of roads while protest rallies were taken at different places.

Four people including three women also sustained injuries in firing tear gas shells by police.

The women were among a large group of people who were taking out a protest rally from Tera towards the Chief Minister's official residence through Naoremthong.

As they were blocked by police at Naoremthong Bazar, a scrambling resulted between the protesters and police personnel prompting the cops to fire gas shells in their attempt to disperse the crowd.

The four persons injured by tear gas shells were treated at RIMS.

Another protest rally marching towards Keishampat from the South along Tidim Road were blocked by police at Keishampat.

Police also blocked a large number of protesters marching towards CM's official residence from Kakwa and Singjamei at Moirangkhom.

Around 1000 people also took out a protest rally against the brutal murder in Chajing area under the aegis of the All Chajing Clubs' Organisation.

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