Bandh throws normal life out of gear
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 26 2009: Normal life in Manipur remained seriously affected today following the 24-hour bandh as well as the 12-hour general strike called respectively by Pangal Students' Organisation (PSO) and Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU) in protest against the killing of Proctor of Manipur University Prof Md Islamuddin.

Stray incidents of violence in which at least one person was injured while scores of vehicles damaged have also been received from different parts of the State.

Obstacles put up in the middle of the road to enforce the bandh called by the PSO

Since early morning, a large number of people came out to enforce the bandh along National Highway 39 in between Mantripukhri and Lei-Ingkhol along with erecting road barricades and scattering of broken glass pieces to prevent movement of vehicles.

Armed with sticks and slings, they also prevented any person from venturing out while the windscreens of vehicles plying in defiance of the bandh were smashed.

At Minuthong Hatta, bandh supporters burnt tyres and erecting road blockade with bamboos and woods to enforce the bandh.

They were also armed with sticks and slings to attack any person or vehicle plying in defiance of the bandh.

At Top Khongnangkhong where barricade was erected near the bridge, suspected bandh supporters damaged an autorickshaw.

They also shouted slogans decrying killing of innocent people.

At Lilong, where the bandh was total, suspected bandh supports set on fir a tourist bus (MN01-1242) in the afternoon.

The road stretch from Lilong to Usoipokpi was also blocked with burning of tyres and piling of boulders/bamboos.

The bandh supporters who were armed with sticks and clubs even detained an Army convoy.

They also damaged the car belonging to the principal of Lilong Haoreibi College and the question papers of B Sc examination of the college were snatched and set aflame.

Tension also ran high at Lilong Usoipokpi area following a confrontation between the bandh supporters and some suspected security personnel who came in a Tata Indica car.

The suspected security personnel were forced to blank firing to disperse the angry mob who in turn pelted stones leading to injuring one of the person.

The bandh supporters had also allegedly snatched one of the arms from the suspected security personnel.

Lilong Bazar also wore a deserted look with all the shops remaining closed for the day.

According to Md Rahaman of the JAC formed in protest against the killing, police have taken into custody at around 42 suspected bandh supporters from different parts of the city.

In MU campus no one could be seen with exception to some security personnel on duty.

Even as inter as well as intra State and district transport service remained stayed off the road, attendance in State and Central Government Departments and offices was reportedly thin.

Schools and colleges also did not function.

In protest against the killing, Poirei Apunba Leimarol Meira Paibi organised Wakat Meephams at Sawombung and Lamlai Bazar.

Similar protest demonstration was also seen at Sagolmang where both the hill and valley people participated.

Wakat Meephams were also staged at Kakwa, Keishampat, Lamshang, Lairenkabi, Andro, Yairipok, Bamon Kampu, Yumnam Huidrom, Bishnupur Bazar and Thoubal Athokpam in protest of the killing.

The bandh and the general strike also affected normal life in Jiribam.