IMPHAL, July 7: The 19-hour general strike imposed by Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) which is spearheading the demand for implementation of ILPS in the State to safeguard the indigenous people, has widely affected normal life in the State.
The general strike that had started from the midnight of July 6 was called demanding withdrawal of Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 during the ongoing Assembly session and its replacement by another appropriate one to check the rampant influx of outsiders.
Shops, cinema halls, educational institutions and oil pumps remained closed in many of the parts due to the strike. Passenger services and vendors at Khwairamband Market also bore deserted look. Number of commercial and private vehicles ply in Imphal area was low.
Strike supporters stopped vehicles at various places and burnt effigies of Chief Minister O Ibobi at many places in protest against the failure of the government to enforce ILPS in the State.
Effigies of 57 MLAs of Legislative Assembly were found hanging along the Thangmeiband Main Road. However, the ongoing 11th Session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly was not disrupted.
A large number of security personnel were deployed in the area to foil any unwanted incident. There is no news of any untoward incident during the strike.
The general strike also left a deep impact in normal life in Thoubal district too.
Educational institutes and business establishments at Kakching, Yairipok and Wangjing areas were closed due to the strike. Movement of commuters in the areas was minimal. Government offices in the district were also paralysed.
Supporters of the strike came out in large number and blocked roads at Thoubal Haokha and Wangjing. However, there is no news of any untoward incidents during the course of the strike.
Ching-Tam Apunba Nupi Lup, Pallel also fully endorsed the general strike.
