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State capital of Manipur wear a desolated look on Thursday Sep. 27[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Imphal, Sep. 27 (EMN): A 48-hour bandh called by six students’ organisations, demanding unconditional release of 15 arrested students and teachers of Manipur University, hit normal life in the state on Thursday Sep. 27. However, there is no report of any untoward incidents till the filing of the report.
The bandh which started from the midnight of Sep. 26 was effective in the greater Imphal area. In view of the bandh, the roads in Imphal wore a desolate look from dawn to dusk after transport services were suspended for the day despite the state’s directive to maintain transport operations during the bandh.
Though the private offices, besides educational institutions, markets, shops and business establishments, remained closed for the day, the state secretariat, deputy commissioner’s office in Imphal remained opened with fewer visitors.
On the eve of the bandh, the state chief secretary had directed the administrative secretaries and head of departments to ensure attendance in all the offices and subordinate offices during 48 hour bandh.
As per the government’s directive, the district police made public announcement using loudspeakers to open the shops and business establishment in the city. But the strike did not affect the normal functioning of the Imphal International Airport and had no impact in most of the hill district headquarters, reports said.
However the inter-district and inter- state transport services has been suspended. Necessary security measures have been taken up at many strategic locations in the state capital to prevent any untoward incidents during the course of the bandh which is scheduled to continue till midnight of Sep. 28.
Meanwhile, District Magistrate N Praveen Wednesday issued an order imposing Section 144 of the CrPC in the entire revenue district of Imphal West for a period of two months.
Biren appeals citizens to make Manipur Bandh and blockade free state
Chief Minister N Biren Singh attending world tourism day at Heingang appealed the people to join their hands together to make bandh and blockade free Manipur. Asking people to refrain from bandhs and blockades, he said that the government is open to have a dialogue with the students and other stakeholders anytime.
Highlighting the tourism potential in the state, he said that a statue of a pony which would be 2nd tallest statue in the NE India after the statue to Buddha in Sikkim, would be erected at Marjing hill adding that a sum of INR 15 crores has already been sanctioned for the construction of ‘Imphal View’ tower at Langol Hills. Ropeway service would be made available from Marjing Hill to Langol Hill to attract more tourists in the region.
Announcing that the Prince of Thailand would be visiting the state during the upcoming Manipur Sangai Festival 2018 which would be held in November, he said a Heritage Park having traditional houses of all the 33 recognised tribes and other communities would be developed at Keibul Lamjao while Manipur Cherry Blossom Festival will be a part of the Manipur Sangai Festival. Light and Sound show at Kangla would be shown to public twice a week soon, he added. Kangkhui Cave in Ukhrul district and Tharon Cave in Tamenglong would be developed as tourist destinations.
Addressing the event, Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar said that Manipur has a distinct environment, unique flora and fauna as compared to other parts of the world and a peaceful and congenial environment is a must to promote tourism sector in the State.
