IMPHAL, May 20 - Normal life in Manipur was paralysed today due to a 38-hour �cease work strike� called by Joint Committee on Inner-Line Permit System (JCILPS) demanding implementation of ILP by enacting three bills passed in Manipur Assembly last year. The strike will end at 6 pm of Saturday.
The strike supporters mostly womenfolk and youths enforced the strike. Some burnt tyres while others blocked the roads. Police fired a number of tear gas shells to control a public rally at Keishampat Junction here around 2.30 pm.
The busy Khwairamband Keithel, main market place in Imphal and all roads leading to the State capital wore a desolate look since dawn as all vehicles were off the roads.
The functioning of government and private offices were severely affected as the staff failed to attend duties while business establishments, educational institutions and market places remained closed.
The strike also affected normal life in districts as the inter-district transport services remained suspended throughout the day.
�We will intensify our agitation if the authorities failed to fulfill our demands,� JCILPS Convenor Kh Ratan warned. The population of non-locals was just 2,719 (in 1948). But it has increased to more than 10 lakh according to 2011 Census, he said.
Why are the governments not taking necessary steps to control the situation so that the natives are protected as in three NE States of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland where ILP is in force, he asked.