IMPHAL, Oct 15: The ‘Black Day’ general strike called by several militant groups operating in the state including the Co-ordination Committee, a conglomerate of major valley-based militants, brought Manipur to a grinding halt today.
In response to the strike, all business establishments and transactions remained closed and all forms of transports services remained suspended. Educational institute and Government offices were also affected by the strike. Even as Government offices remained open, the attendance turned-out was extremely low during the strike period.
To thwart any untoward incidents during the strike heavy security measures was deployed.
The ‘Black Day’ general strike was called against the ‘annexation of Manipur into Indian Union’ on October 15.
On 1949, October 15, Manipur was officially declared as part of Indian Union. Later, the day has been observed as ‘Black Day’ by militant groups.
Meanwhile our Kangpokpi correspondent adds: Vehicles stayed off the roads, business establishments downed their shutters. This is the scenario along NH-2 along Sadar Hills and Senapati on the first day of the 48-hr Senapati District bandh imposed by the Joint Committee of Kuki Inpi Saikul Gamkai(KISG) and Saikul Area Naga People`s Organization (SANPO) which drew widespread support and endorsement from several tribal civil bodies including Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, SAHILCA, KSO-SH.
Except for those activities exempted from the purview of the bandh, all other activities came to a stand-still today.
Not a single vehicle could be seen along the National Highway 2 that passes through the tribal dominated areas of Sadar Hills and Senapati district.
Except pharmacies and other medical related shops, all other business establishments remained closed for the day at Kangpokpi, Motbung, Sapormeina and other areas upto Gamgiphai.
KISG president Thangkam Lupheng while speaking to this correspondent said that until the state govt cancel the June 2011 Home Department notification wherein more than 120 villages of Saikul Sub-Division under Sadar Hills, Senapati district including some villages of Ukhrul district have been included in Imphal East and Thoubal respectively they will be not rest.
Today some vehicles who defied the bandh call were seized by bandh supporters along Saikul-Imphal road and were stationed at a safe place to be let off only after the bandh concluded, he said.
He continued that the bandh has been peaceful and effective in Saikul area.
While sticking firmly to its stands the KISG chief said, “No turning back” until the genuine demand are meted out adding that if the 48-hr bandh bears no positive result then we will decide the next course of agitation to be implemented.
On the otherhand, Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills caretaker Chungkam Haokip said that as informed, my people along NH-2 within Sadar Hills duely honoured the instruction with regards to the bandh.
Though there were no untoward incidents, the bandh was very much effective along NH-2, added the KISH chief.
In the meantime, some vehicles including passenger wingers were safely escorted along NH-2 by security forces.
However there is a report of stranded loaded trucks along the highway at Senapati.
In a state like Manipur any kind of bandh is a big gain to any commodity wholesalers and a big loss to the general public which becomes a custom and tradition of Manipur whereas the concern authority remain a mute spectators.