IMPHAL, July 16 - A 12-hour State-wide general strike which concluded at 6 pm and a curfew from 5 pm crippled normal life in Manipur particularly in the valley on Thursday.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the brutal killing of Sapam Robinhood called the strike to protest against the State Government fixing three months time to frame a new visitor�s regulation Bill. Strike supporters, mainly womenfolk and youth came out in groups in Imphal and enforced the strike in the market places and other establishments from dawn to dusk in the State capital though curfew was relaxed for 12 hours till 5 pm. There are reports of widespread protests by burning tyres, logs, etc., besides sit-ins during the strike.
Meanwhile, an all political parties meeting held here with Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh in the chair decided to form a drafting committee to prepare a new Bill by consulting
with JCILPS and others within one month.