IMPHAL, July 21: The Imphal-Ukhrul road remained affected today on the first day of the 60 hour bandh called by the JAC against the disappearance of Irungbam Irabanta Meitei.
Even though the bandh failed to make much impact in other parts of the state, the Imphal-Ukhrul road remained empty with sporadic movement of personal vehicles along the road in the earlier part of the day.
Bandh supporters came out in large hordes since early this morning along the road at different places and stopped vehicles from plying along the road.
Shops along the road remained closed, Lamlong Bazar wore a deserted look and vehicles remained off the road.
However some vehicles were seen plying along the road in the later part of the day after police dispersed the bandh supporters from the road.
A brief altercation between the supporters and police was also seen at Lamlong Bazar at 1pm.
During the said altercation, Madhubala, wife of missing Irabanta fainted suddenly and had to be rushed to the nearby JNIMS.
In the meantime, police managed to control the bandh supporters and allow passage of vehicles.
However all passenger vehicles including Imphal-Ukhrul, Imphal-Lamlai and other vehicles along the route remained off the road during the first day of the 60 hour band.
Meanwhile, shops were seen open in other parts of the state.
Khwairamband bazar remained busy as in other days, and the two main bazars of Imphal, Paona Bazar and Thangal Bazar also remain open.
All other inter district passenger vehicles were seen plying along their routes.
It may be mentioned that the JAC formed against the disappearance of Irungbam Irabanta Meitei had called a 60 hours total bandh in the state starting from 5am today till 5pm July 23.
Irabanta a contractor engaged in the Khoupum area has remained traceless since May 27, after he accompanied one Winner for a meeting with the NSCN (IM).