IMPHAL, JUNE 24: Normal life was paralysed for the second day today due to the 48-hour bandh in Manipur. The state-wide bandh, which has been in force since the intervening night of June 22 and 23, affected normal life particularly in Imphal.
The bandh, which was called by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the “wanted tag” on the former convener of the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System, Khomdram Ratan, demanded withdrawal of the tag and implementation of the Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) in the state.
Markets, shops, business establishments, private offices and educational institutions in the state, particularly in Imphal, were closed while the attendance in government offices was very thin.
The bandh was total not only in Imphal but also in Singjamei, Khurai, Thangmeiband and Mayang Imphal areas all under Imphal West district as bandh supporters enforced the blockade by burning tyres and blocking roads with bamboos. But it did not affect the Imphal International airport and had no impact in hill district headquarters.
The situation in the state continues to be disturbing as another state-wide bandh has been called over the state government’s alleged failure to fulfill the demands of another JAC formed after the death of two youths belonging to Lilong and Mayang Imphal on April 7 last. The JAC is demanding a probe into the incident and punishment of the accused.
Meanwhile as pronounced by the JCILPS which is spearheading a public movement demanding implementation of ILP to protect the interest of the indigenous people of Manipur, women folks of several localities in and around staged sit-ins and shouted pro-ILP slogans by staging human chains amidst the state-wide bandh.
