Imphal/CCpur, May 18 : Normal life in the tribal districts of Manipur was hit for the second consecutive day today by the 48-hour total shutdown called by Joint Action Committee (JAC). There was no report of any violence from anywhere during the day and attendance in Government offices in the districts was almost nil, officials said.
Business establishments and educational institutions remained closed and inter-district bus services were off the roads as a result of the shutdown which began from the midnight of May 16, police said. A large number of supporters came out on the streets, particularly in Churachandpur district and Kangpokpi area to enforce the shutdown, police said. The total shutdown concluded without any untoward incident while normal life has been completely affected for the second consecutive day, repots our CCpur correspondent. Heavy downpour since last night hit the area till late in the evening, leaving the already deserted markets and streets totally empty. However, the incessant downpour hit public life and kept most of the bandh supporters indoors in Churachandpur. In Chandel district, the shutdown was complete but border trade at Moreh remained unaffected, police said. On Tuesday, nine vehicles engaged in construction of railway lines, two loaded trucks and one truck carrying betel leaves were damaged by the supporters of the shutdown at Longmai area in Tamgenglong district, police added.
The agitation was called by the Churachandpur JAC in the tribal areas of Manipur to protest the decision of political parties to send a delegation to New Delhi to request the Central Government for implementing Inner Line Permit System (ILP) in Manipur. On May 9 this year, representatives of all political parties had decided to send a team to Delhi to have three Bills passed unanimously by the State Assembly be converted into Acts with the assent of the President. The Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015, The Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015 and The Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 were passed by Manipur Assembly to implement Inner Line Permit system (ILP) in the North Eastern State and safeguard the identity of all communities in the State from illegal immigration from neighbouring countries. However, it was not accepted by sections of the tribal people.
