Imphal, April 15: The 24-hour long State-wide general strike called to protest missing of truck driver Md Salimuddin and minor student Md Arif Shah concluded peacefully with no report of any untoward incidents from anywhere.

The general strike came into effect from 5 pm yesterday and concluded at 5 pm today without no report of violent incident from any part of the State.

The general strike called by 'Joint Action Committee against the missing of driver Salimuddin and minor student Arif Shah' and supported by All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers' Union among others, however, crippled normal activities of people in the State.

All the business establishments in the capital including the main commercial hub of Khwairamband Market and educational institutions remained closed during the strike.

Vehicles of inter district transport service also stayed off the roads, though some private vehicles were seen on the roads.

The strike, however, did not affect flight services.

At Thoubal Bazar, a few shops were seen doing brisk business and two wheelers plying on the roads.

The strike was total at Yairipok area with all the market places closed down and no vehicular traffic on the road.

Stringent security arrangement was also taken up pre-emptive measures to avert violent incident during the strike.

Shops also downed shutters at Bishnupur with no bus services on the road as well.

Though the strike seem to have no impact at Churachandpur with all market places remaining open and normal flow on traffic on the roads within the town, no passenger buses arrived from Imphal.

Md Ibothem and Md Arif, a student from Yairipok Changamdabi in Thoubal district went missing since January 24 this year from near Dimapur.

They were reportedly whisked away by unknown armed persons while returning from Guwahati to Imphal in a poultry feeds laden truck.

Though the Chief Minister, who is also in charge of Home Affairs, assured all possible steps to trace the missing duo and State's senior police officials are reportedly in touch with their Nagaland counterparts, their whereabouts remain untraceable.

Secretary of All Manipur Drivers and Motor Workers Union Hamom Kulamani Singh had stated that the commander of crime branch of NSCN (IM) informed the Union that the vehicle was recovered on February 25 from Diphuphar, Newland without the missing persons.

Konsam Langamba, the president of United Committee Manipur, an umbrella body of several civil organisations had demanded an explicit statement from NSCN (IM) pertaining to the recovery of the truck without the missing two.

JAC thanks all: JAC against the missing of driver Salimuddin and minor student Arif Shah has expressed its gratitude to all the State level and local level organisations and the public for extending their co-operation and support during the general strike called to protest the failure of the State Government to trace the whereabouts of the missing persons.

The driver and the student went missing since January 24 last from near Dimapur.

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