The 12-hour general strike called by AMSU has affected normal life in the state today. The general strike, called to condemn the bomb blast at Sangakpham Bazar, has hampered the activities of economic and educational institutions in the whole state including the border town Moreh. No passenger service was operated, and all the parking areas of Imphal areas were seen vacant, few commuters were seen in Imphal area.
The NH-39 near Chingmierong was blocked by the bandh supporters. Shops in Poana Market, Thangal market, Singjamei Super market and banks in MG Avenue were closed.
While IFP on site enquiry on chingmierong areas, the women pressure groups who were blocking the road has said that one suspicious scooter was pulled up by the police personnel near the blast site which were parked for long hours.
The Nupi Keithel were also closed, the Singjamie vegetable market and lamphel vegetable market was also seen vacant, only few medical shops were opened. There has no report of unwanted incidents in Imphal Areas.
On the other hand, at least five transporters sustained injury; five vehicles set ablaze and several other vehicles were inflicted with damage, as the agitation for the demand of districthood for Sadar hills intensified.
Enrage with the killing of three civilians including a students by trucks plying along the NH-2 during the economic blockade yesterday, the Sadar hills districthood demand committee (SHDDC) imposed general strike in the Sadar hills area amidst the ongoing economic blockade along the two National Highways of the state.
At least four vehicles were set ablaze beyond redemption along the NH-2 from early morning today. In the first incident a Hyundai I-20 vehicle (No.AS-02G/4470) was set ablaze early morning today around 4 am near Keithelmanbi cemetery along the NH-2 by strike supporters. Reports said that the vehicles belonging to one H. Premjit, commandant 34 CRPF, was heading towards Imphal from Dimapur.
At about 12 noon a Tata trucks carrying grocery items was set ablaze beyond redemption near Kangpokpi bridge. The registration number of the truck has been established as one AS03-AC/1355.
Subsequently, Strike supporter also set ablaze one Pulsar 180 motorcycle at Leikok village at around 12:30 pm and another truck on army duty was also set ablaze around 3:20 pm at Kangpokpi bazaar. The registration number has been established as NL08A-2444.
In addition to that wind shields of two vehicles were damage including a mobile ambulance van (No. MN04-A1871) near at Kangpokpi bazaar. The resgistration number of the other damage van is established as MN1A-6713.
Strike supporters came out in the street and block road using burning tyres, pillong stones and log from Kanglatombi till Kangpokpi.
A rally was also organized by SHDDC, in protest against the death of three individuals who were run over by trucks plying along the NH-2 yesterday.
The victims were identified as one Sujamaya Risal, 45, w/o Ram Prasad of Damdei College area, Harimya Paudel, 56, w/o Krishna Prasad Kanglatombi and Yareiphi Lunglen, 22, d/o Singlei Lunglen of Tulei village of Ukhrul.
The rally begins from Kanglatombi bazaar till ADC office Kangpokpi carrying the lifeless corpses of Harimya Paudel and Sujamaya. On reaching ADC Kangpokpi a memorandum addressing to the Prime Minister of India and Chief Minister of Manipur was submitted through the ADC Kangpokpi drawing the attention of the PM for Immediate action on Sadar Hills issue following recurrence of death.
Ngamkhohao Haokip, president SHDDC, blames the government for the death of the three victims who was run over by trucks.
The government is trying to suppress the Sadar hills people by using force adding the statement issued by the Chief Minister, O. Ibobi, through media, condemned by the SHDDC.
The government is provoking the Sadar hills people and subsequently trying to deprive the right of the people.
On the other hand, at least one truck was set ablaze while scores others inflicted with damage by strike supporters along the National Highway 37.
Reports said that a convoy of trucks today left Imphal along the NH-37 with security escort. On reaching New Keithelmanbi around 12:20 the convoys came under attack of stones from strike supporters when a truck flip over after losing control and smashed a retaining wall leaving a truck driver critically injured. The victim were identified as one Md. Rahman, 35, s/o Mufi of Keirao Mayai Leikai, he currently hospitalized at Shija ICU ward.
In the meantime, windshields of many other trucks were also damage during the attack.
In the attack about three drivers and one handyman suffered minor injuries. The injured victims were identified as one Salam Kanta, 25, s/o Thambalok of Moirang Purel (MN04A-5056); handyman, Thounaojam Chandramani, 20, s/o Th. Merachand of Moirang Purel; Ibohal of Soibam Leikai and A. Naobi, 29, s/o A. Ngauba of Awang Leikin Thabi (AS25C-3278), they have been hospitalized at RIMS.
Subsequently, a truck was set ablaze at Namthanjang village at Keithelmanbi by suspected strike supporters.
The registration number of the truck is established as MN03/7-0155 and it is burnt beyond redemption, said the report.
The trucks owners’ association of NH-37 handed over monetary assistance of rupees 3000 each to the injured transporters.
Further spot information revealed that state forces including the Manipur Rifles and police remained silent spectator when strike supporters attack vehicles at Kangpokpi.