Bandh hits life in parts of Manipur

Quarry workers imposing bandh on the road in Thoubal district on August 1.

Imphal, August 1 (NNN): Normal life in some parts of Manipur including national highways was severely hit by a 14-hour state-wide bandh demanding review of the court ban on stone and sand mining in Manipur.

Though the bandh had not much impact in Imphal, it severely hit normal life in parts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur districts where sand and stone mining places concentrated. In these areas, quarry workers came out on the roads, particularly along the national highways and imposed the bandh by putting fire on the roads, piling up logs and stones.

At some places, protesting quarry workers confronted with the police who attempted to disperse them to open the roads.

Except slight reduction in the traffic volume in Imphal areas, almost all shops and other business establishments functioned as usual.

Even though some schools and colleges remained closed for the day, most of the private schools functioned as usual. Some schools reportedly postponed the ongoing exams for the day.

All Manipur Excavator, Local Truck, Tipper Owners and Workers Association (AMELTTOWA) gave the 14-hour state-wide bandh which commenced from 4 am and went on till 6 pm. The association gave the bandh-call against the order of the High Court of Manipur imposing a total ban on sand and stone mining in all rivers across the state.