Region
48-hour bandh affects normal life in Manipur
IMPHAL — The 48-hour bandh called by Meira Paibi (women groups) and various local organisations in Manipur has affected the normal life in Imphal and other valley districts of the violence-hit state for the second day today.
The bandh was called for demanding unconditional release of five village defenders, who were arrested by police on September 16. The bandh came into force from Monday midnight.
Khwairamband Keithel, the main market premises in Imphal wore deserted look since morning. All the shops at Paona Bazar, Thangal bazaar, MG avenue, Khoyathong road besides the iconic ‘Nupi keithel’(women market) remained shut for the second day.
The banks, business establishments and educational institutes also remain closed. Except for a few private vehicles, all the inter-state, inter-district and inter-localities transport services also suspended their normal service from Monday.
There are also reports of poor attendance in the government offices.
Many Meira Paibi teams in different locations blocked the vehicular movements by physically blocking most of the key routes in and around Imphal and other valley districts on the second day of the 48-hour bandh.
The state authority deployed security forces at strategic locations to avoid any unwanted incidents.
The decision to call the bandh was taken during a public meeting held at Kakwa in Imphal West district on Monday. Meira Paibis has been continuing different forms of agitation by shutting down the shops in Imphal market from Monday onwards after the report of arresting five village volunteers.
On Tuesday, Manipur Police said that the five persons, who were arrested on September 16, were impersonating as commandos of Manipur Police by wearing the special CDO (commando) uniform.
“They were caught along with sophisticated weapons which belong to the police,” said additional secretary (Home), M Pradip, while addressing a press conference here on Tuesday evening.
Stating that the police department is making all out efforts to restore normalcy in the state, he said that the efforts of the police have been hampered by certain unwanted acts by armed miscreants.
“There were complaints of monetary demand and threats amid the ongoing crisis in the state. Over the past month, a total of 25 such acts have been reported,” he added.