IMPHAL, NOVEMBER 26: The 24-hour total shutdown in protest against the arrest of UNC president Gaidon Kamei and information secretary Stephan Sangkhil hit normal life in the Naga-inhabited areas in Manipur’s four hill districts on Saturday. The shutdown called by Naga civil society organisations concludes at 4 pm this afternoon.
Markets, shops and offices in the district headquarters of Chandel,Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul remained closed for the day while the movement of passenger transports passing through these district headquarters were off the road for the day, sources said.
In Tamenglong district, the native district of the UNCpPresident, the strike supporters came out and blocked roads at various places including Noney town and Tamenglong town by burning tyres in the middle of the roads, reports r said.
Normal traffic along busy Imphal-Jiribam route and Bishnupur-Khoupum road was also affected by the shutdown besides the railway construction works in the district particularly at Noney and Tupul areas. However, there is no report of unwanted incident till the time of filing this report.
On Friday, Gaidon and Stephen were picked up in connection with the ongoing economic blockade on National Highways in Manipur since November 1 midnight.
Activists and Naga leaders in Senapati demanded release of the arrested UNC leaders unconditionally within 48 hours with effect from 4 pm of November 26. “Failing which, O Ibobi Singh government shall be held responsible for any eventuality,” said tehpublicity wing of UNC in a release.
Ibobi flags off ambulances: Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Friday flagged off 11 ambulances handed over to state health department by Power grid corporation of India(PGCI)under the Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative of the Corporation from the historic Kangla Fort complex here this morning.
The Ambulances which are fitted with basic life support for emergency services are Bolero Jeeps and these ambulances are meant for the use in different Public Health Centres (PHC) located in the interior areas of the Hills and some District Hospitals.
They are – PHC, Khoupum, PHC, Oinamlong, PHC Nungba, PHC,Noney and District Hospital, Tamenglong in Tamenglong District; PHC,Tengnoupal in Chandel District; PHC,Tadubi in Senapati District; PHC,Khumbong in Imphal West District; Sub-District Hospital, Jiribam in Imphal East District; District Hospital, Thoubal and District Hospital, Bishnupur.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Health Minister D Korungthang, Chief Secretary O Nabakishore Singh, Commissioner (Power) Vineet Joshi, Commissioner(Health) PK Singh led officials of Health Department and PGCI attended the function.
