IMPHAL, July 1: Normal life in the state was today crippled by the effect of several general strikes called simultaneously by several bodies on separate issues.
The JAC formed against the alleged kidnapping and alleged rape of a 17 year old college girl from Yairpok on June 19 had called a 24 hour state wide general strike from the midnight of June 30 against the failure of the government to arrest and give befitting punishment to the culprits. Bandh supporters ended up damaging three vehicles coming along with IFCD Minister Ngamthang Haokip at Yairipok Changamdabi.
It may be mentioned that the girl was kidnapped by unidentified persons on June 19, 2013 when she had left home at around 11:30 am to get admission forms from the Yairipok Universal College.
She was later allegedly raped and dropped off near the gate of her residence on June 20, 2013 around 12:30 am.
The vehicles from the Minister’s entourage were set ablaze at around 11:30pm, while the Minister accompanied by officials was on a trip to Thoubal Barrage to inspect damage on one of its canals. Bandh supporters pelted stones at Yairipok Changamdabi Kabirstan, damaging three of the vehicles.
Vehicular movement in Thoubal district was negligible as also attendence in all schools, colleges and government offices in Thoubal district while shops and business establishments also remained closed in the district.
Vehicular traffic was also negligible in Imphal with several shops in the Imphal bazar areas remaining close. Bandh supporters were seen coming out at since early morning in Hapta , Mantripukri and Kabeisoi areas.
Imphal East police were also seen trying to disperse the bandh supporters from blocking vehicular movement along the Imphal East roads.
Meanwhile, the Naga Students’ Federation had also called a 12 hour bandh in all Naga-inhabited areas starting from 6am today expressing strong resentment against the attempted life of NSF official, against the incessant clashes and killings amongst the underground factions, imposition of illegal taxation by the Naga UGs and arbitrary harassment and endangering the lives of innocent civilians by Naga national workers.
The general strike affected the movement of all interstate passenger service in the state especially along the NH 2 which enters Nagaland through Senapati in the state.