IMPHAL, July 28: The 38-hour state-wide general strike being imposed by the JAC formed in connection to the death of Sapam Robinhood alias Thoi of Lairikyengbam Leikai, Imphal East with effect from 5 am today in protest against the government`™s lackadaisical attitude towards delivery of justice to the death of the student in police action on July 8, has greatly affected normal life in the State.
Inter-state and inter-district passenger services stayed off the road due to the ongoing strike.
Movement of private vehicles along the State and National Highways was minimal. Business establishments, shops, banks and oil pumps in different parts of the State remained closed.
The rate of attendance of employees in government and private offices was low owing to the strike. Markets including Khwairamband Keithel in Imphal also bore deserted look. Many programmes which were supposed to be held today had to be postponed.
The strike which will remain effective till 7 pm of tomorrow looked total mainly in the valley districts.
On the other hand, volunteers of Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) and supporters of the JAC blocked roads by burning tyres and placing wood logs in different areas during the course of the strike today.
Movement of vehicles and commuters in the areas was also restricted by the strike supporters.
The strike supporters shouted slogans such as `Implement ILPS in Manipur`™, `Safeguard indigenous people`™, `Punish those police personnel involved in the killing of Robinhood`™ etc.
However, there is no news of any untoward incidents during the course of the strike.
The ongoing general strike called by the JAC also badly hit normal life in Thoubal district.
Shops and business establishment were downed shutters. Except few private vehicles, passenger services in the district were ceased.
Strike supporters who came out in large numbers blocked Thoubal Wangmataba Road by placing wood logs and burning tyres. Passage of vehicles except for religious purposes through the district was also stopped by the supporters in the evening.
A large number of security personnel deployed in different parts of the district remained vigil to thwart any untoward incident during the strike.
On the other hand, Thoubal Awang Leikai Apunba Meira Paibi Lup staged a sit-in-protest at Thoubal Bazar in support of the mass movement led by JCILPS for implementation of Inner Line Permit System in the state.
During the protest demonstration, the protestors chanted slogans like `Award stringent punishment to the police personnel behind the killing of Sapam Robinhood`™, `Enforce ILPS in Manipur without further delay`™, `Long live Manipur`™ etc.
The protestors also urged the government to re-open all the educational institutions at the earliest in the larger interest of the students.
The educational institutions were closed down by an order of the government following the death of the student.
Extending solidarity to the collective demand for ILPS implementation, a sit-in-protest was also staged by Thoubal Kiyam Siphai Khundongbam Leikai Meira Paibi Lup at Thoubal Kiyam Siphai during which slogans such as `Long live Manipur`™, `We condemn killing of Robinhood`™, `Safeguard the indigenous people by passing the proposed bill within the set deadline`™ etc were shouted.
Meanwhile, tension mounted in Tellipati and Soibam Leikai area following a verbal exchange after a shop open in the inside lane despite the general strike called by the JAC of Robinhood today.
In the late afternoon, Gulabi wife of Brahma Sahu opened the shop and when locals asked her to shut, she refused with demeaning answers.
Scuffle followed and volunteers destroyed her shop and set fire to the goods and a two wheeler that belongs to the family.
This led to a spiraling tension fortunately police arrive in time and diffused the mob.
The concern MLA Y Irabot also came to the spot and mediated the situation.
After his intervention the arrested youth named Bhim was also released by the police.