IMPHAL | Nov 21: The 26 hours general strike imposed by the CorCom, a conglomerate of several militant groups operating in the state against the visit of President of India, affected normal life in the state.
In response to the strike, major business establishments and streets in Imphal including the two main markets in the city, Thangal and Paona bazaar, remained closed.
All forms of transports like the inter-state and district transports services suspended their services due to the strike.
Educational institutes both government and private also remained closed during the general strike. Although government offices were opened employees turned out was apparently very low.
Heavy security measures including state forces, para military forces and army were seen deployed in different places of Imphal to prevent any unwanted incident during the President’s visit.
But later in the evening the roads surrounding BOAT, Palace compound, the main venue of Sangai Festival remained crowded with visitors having turned up in several hundreds to witness the inaugural function of the festival.
Amidst the bandh, the visiting President of India, Ram Nath Kovindh, today inaugurated Manipur biggest festival “Sangai Festival” at the BOAT and Northeast Develop Summit at city convention centre both located within the Palace Compound.
The CorCom imposed the general strike from 5 am today to boycott the visit of the President of the India as a part of its ongoing ‘war of independence’ of Manipur against the Indian Union. The strike will come to an end 8 am tomorrow.
Source: Imphal Free Press
