Bandh called by JAC paralyses normal life in Manipur

IMPHAL — The 48-hour state-wide bandh called by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) in response to the killing of Takhellambam Manoranjan Singh disrupted normal life in Manipur, particularly in Imphal, on Saturday.

The statewide bandh commenced at 5 am on January 20 and is scheduled to conclude at 5 am on January 22. This was in response to the state government’s failure to respond positively to the JAC’s demands outlined in their memorandum submitted to the state’s chief minister, according to the JAC.

In a statement to the media, the JAC convenor said that a memorandum was submitted to the chief minister, setting a 24-hour deadline for the fulfilment of their demands. The JAC decided to call the bandh after the government failed to respond positively to the demand by the deadline, according to the statement, adding that essential services and religious events would be exempt from the bandh’s scope.

Because of the bandh, Khwairamband Keithel, Imphal’s primary market premises, were deserted, with all shops at Paona Bazar, Thangal Bazar, MG Avenue, Khoyathong Road, and the iconic ‘Nupi keithel’ (women market) closed for the day.

Banks, business establishments, and educational institutes were closed during the bandh. With the exception of a limited number of private vehicles, all inter-state, inter-district, and inter-locality transport services suspended their normal operations on Saturday.

According to police sources, the body of Takhellambam Manoranjan, a resident of Thiyam Konjil who is suspected to have been killed in an exchange of fire between armed miscreants on the intervening nights of January 17 and January 18, was recovered from bunker hills near Kangchup Chingkhong.

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