IMPHAL, October 14: As if a bandh by default, October 15 has always remained a general strike called by various armed groups and organisation as a protest against the forcible annexation of Manipur to the Indian Union.
To counter and prevent any untoward incidence from happening the state forces are gearing up to meet the challenges they might face in the 18 hour long general strike called by the joint group of armed groups CorCom.
As usual, in the view if the general strike, the state forces including the paramilitary forces and other forces involved in the counter insurgency forces are all out and revved up their duties in many fronts including frisking of suspected youths and people and screening of areas whether there is any bombs being planted besides their heavy presence everywhere to make their presence known, creating road opening parties and the so called area domination tactics.
Hectic preparation is also on a war footing equally in the hill district as well as the valley districts including Thoubal and Bishnupur districts in the valley and the one considered the worst in the hills, Chandel district where the border town of Moreh resides along the international border.
Mention maybe made, the 18 hour general strike called jointly by the representatives of KCP, KYKL, Prepak, Prepak (PRO) RPF, UNLF and UPPK known as the CorCom would relax their restriction for people working in the essential services sector, including fire, media and the medical.
It further appeal all to support their cause and avoid all kinds of observation and celebration on this particular date- tomorrow October 15 as a support to their cause and advised to remain indoors and make their general strike a total.
Meanwhile, as reported by IANS, Imphal West district police chief Konsam Jayanta Singh has told the news agency, “There is a possibility of the rebels attacking security forces to prove their strength. Therefore, we have sounded a security alert to all our forces. But we are ready to meet any eventuality,”
“More than 5,000 security personnel, including from Manipur Police, the army, Assam Rifles and other central paramilitary forces, have been pressed into service to thwart any untoward incident during the general strike.”
“In the last few months, rebel groups have triggered over 20 improvised explosive device (IED) blasts, killing and injuring security forces and civilians”, it said.