Women enforcing the 24 hour bandh which affected valley districts of Manipur on August 1.
Newmai News Network
Imphal | August 1
A 24-hour general strike severely paralysed the valley districts in Manipur. The bandh which began on Tuesday midnight was imposed jointly by All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO), Committee of Civil Societies of Kangleipak (CCSK) and United Committee, Manipur (UCM) in protest against the alleged plans of the Government of India to extend Article 371(A) or something like giving special status to Naga areas as the outcome of the Framework Agreement signed between the New Delhi and the NSCN (IM) on August 3, 2015.
However, there was no serious breach of law and order problems due to the general strike though there have been reports of stray incidents in some pockets of the valley districts.
All the educational institutions did not operate in the valley districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Kakching. Government offices were also almost non-functional as employees did not turn up to work due to the bandh. Inter district and inter state transport services which pass through the valley districts did not ply today. Shops and other commercial activities also did not operate today.
The agitating organisations accused the Government of India of constantly trying to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the State by employing its "divisive policy".
Since early morning today, supporters of the bandh blocked roads by burning tyres in the streets. Women folks are also seen enforcing the bandh in several localities.
It can be noted here that the AMUCO, UCM and CCSK had organised a sit-in protest in a locality in Imphal against the same issue. The three organisations have also planned to carry out a mass rally on August 18 in Imphal with regard to the same issue.
Meanwhile, the Reformist Students’ Front (RSF) has announced to extend the general strike till tomorrow, August 2 (Thursday) midnight in support of the civil societies' movements on the burning issues like Border Pillar, Manipur University and the 'Framework Agreement'.
