IMPHAL, Jul 30: The 24-hour State-wide public curfew imposed by JCILPS in protest against the police crackdown on a public meeting at Singjamei was total.
All shops, business establishments, banks, cinema halls remained closed while markets and streets wore deserted looks.
In the afternoon, irate bandh supporters burnt the effigies of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam at Khongman Mangjil and Singjamei amidst slogans.
The impact of the bandh could be seen at Paona bazar, Thangal bazar, Ima markets and other major markets of the capital.
Although a few women vendors and street vendors came to Ima Keithels and temporary markets of Khwairamband bazar to sell vegetables and other items, their number was negligible.
Government Departments and other offices also recorded very low attendance during the public curfew.
Almost all the private vehicles and passenger vehicles remained off the roads. No inter-State and inter-district passenger vehicles came to the State capital during the stir.
Police and other security forces personnel were seen deployed at different areas to thwart unwanted incidents.
Public curfew supporters blocked roads at various localities by placing boulders, bamboos, tree branches and burning tyres on the road.
The public curfew was more intensely imposed on Singjamei-Kongba road. People in huge numbers along with the members of the JAC constituted against the wanted tag on Ratan were seen blocking the road at different points.
Effigies of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam were burnt at Khongman Mangjil and at Singjamei in the afternoon.
The public curfew supporters shouted slogans like ‘we condemn police’, ‘we condemn assault of students by the police’, ‘remove wanted tag from Kh Ratan’, ‘long live Manipur’, ‘we want ILP’ and ‘we demand ILP’ etc.
A team of Singjamei police station along with CRPF women personnel were also seen deployed near Singjamei bridge the whole day.
They erected a barricade in the middle of the bridge. However, the security forces left a small space to allow movement of two-wheelers and light vehicles.
No untoward incident has been reported till the time of filing this report.
The 24-hour public curfew imposed also affected normal life in Bishnupur district, reports our correspondent.
Bishnupur Keithel, Moirang Keithel and other business establishments remained closed. Private and commercial vehicles were made to turn back while public curfew supporters drove away some women vendors at Moirang Lamkhai and Moirang Keithel early morning. Though minor scuffle broke out between police and bandh supporters, no untoward incident was reported.
Inauguration of the newly set up SBI, Moirang Branch was also postponed due to the public curfew. Locals of Moirang, Kumbi Thanga ACs who have been eagerly waiting to avail banking services for a long time have expressed displeasure over the hindrance to developmental initiatives.
In Yairipok and Pallel areas, public curfew supporters led by Apunba Nupi Khunnai Lamjing Meira Lup, Yairipok, Ching-Tam Apunba Nupi Lup and PALEM took part in the protest by blocking roads in and around Yairipok Keithel and Pallel Keithel.
