IMPHAL, June 11 - The proposed 48-hour general strike called by Manipur-based Kangleipak Students Association (KSA) has been deferred till Monday following an understanding with the State Government.
Human Resource Development secretary of KSA informed this to media here after the Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam assured that the arrested members of the student�s body will be released on Monday.
Earlier, demanding unconditional release of its five members who were arrested and detained in judicial custody on charges of raiding shops for alleged food adulteration and black marketing of edible items. The KSA had earlier banned sale of popular packaged salt and tea packets in the State. The 48-hour general strike was scheduled to begin at 5 pm today.
Urging the authority to immediately release the arrested students, Bharatiya Janata Party Manipur Pradesh has appealed to KSA to call off the bandh and instead take up peaceful and democratic agitation.
Meanwhile, the movement of goods trucks on the National Highways contnue to be affected since the 10-day economic blockade came into force in the tribal areas of the State on June 9, reports said. There are reports of vehicles being stranded at Mao Gate on the highway.
The blockade was called by the Joint Action Committee Against Anti-Tribal Bills in association with Outer Manipur Tribals� Forum, in protest against the alleged �ill treatment of the tribal people that has recently been highlighted through the three anti-tribal Bills passed by Manipur Assembly.�
The blockade has triggered panic buying of petroleum products since the last two days despite report of enough stock of petrol for 13 days, diesel for 21 days, kerosene oil for 27 days, and LPG for nine days, according to official sources.
