IMPHAL, Jun 23: Normal life in Imphal and other areas was crippled on the first day of the 48 hours State-wide bandh imposed by the JAC against the declaration of ‘wanted’ tag on former JCILPS convener Khomdram Ratan and the demand for implementation of ILP.
The 48 hours bandh was imposed demanding the withdrawal of wanted tag on former convener of Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) Kh Ratan.
The bandh hampered all forms of business activities in Imphal city and other major business centres in and around the State capital. All inter-district passenger services remained off the road though few private vehicles related with emergency service and religious activities were seen plying.
Business establishments, shops, oil pumps and cinema halls in and around Imphal city downed shutters. Khwairamband Bazar, the heart of the capital wore a deserted look. Schools and colleges, offices and movie theatres also remained closed.
To prevent any untoward incident, a number of police personnel were seen deployed in and around Imphal area. Supporters of the bandh blocked roads at many places by placing tree branches, logs and burning tyres.
People from all walks of life showed their support by blocking all roads leading to Imphal city crippling all forms of transportation.
All major roads leading towards Imphal city were cut off, transforming Imphal city into a ghost town. Large number of people staged sit-in-protest at different places pressuring the Government to implement ILP system and to save the indigenous populace of Manipur and removal of the ‘wanted’ tag on Kh Ratan.
Bandh enforcers took to the streets at Wangkhei, Kongba, Kongba-Singjamei Road, Singjamei Kshetri Leikai, Moirangkhom, Singjamei Chingamakhong, Singjamei Bheigyabati Leikai, Kakwa, Yaiskul, Canchipur and other places.
Supporting the 48 hours bandh, a large number of people blocked roads at different places in different districts. Locals of Khurai Lamlong and Sawombung also enforced the bandh hampering all forms of vehicular movement along the Imphal-Ukhrul road.
Even though bandh supporters strictly prevented any vehicular movements, medical emergencies, religious activity related movements and emergency services were exempted.
Bandh supporters blocked vehicular movement at Khongman Mangjil area too. A bandh enforcer at Khongman Mangjil said that the declaration of wanted tag on former JCILPS convener Khomdram Ratan by the Govt is strongly condemnable. She demanded that the wanted tag on Kh Ratan and the announcement of reward for information leading to his arrest be withdrawn immediately. The protester further warned of launching more intense forms of agitation unless the Govt withdraws the wanted tag on Ratan.
