IMPHAL, Feb 4 � The 12-hour dawn-to-dusk Statewide general strike called in Manipur by the United Committee Manipur (UCM) affected normal life in the State today. However, there is no report of any untoward incident during the strike which concluded at 5 pm.
The strike was called by UCM as part of extending support to the ongoing indefinite strike on Imphal-Moreh route in protest against the frequent harassment of villagers besides imposition of restrictions on their free movement by troops of 24 Assam Rifles deployed in the Tengnoupal sector of the highway.
Markets and other business establishments besides educational institutions remained closed during the strike. Inter-State passenger and goods carriers, besides auto-rickshaws failed to hit the Imphal roads in view of the strike. However, few passenger vehicles from outside the State reached Imphal in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Joint Action Committee against the atrocities by Central forces in Chandel district has decided to lift the ongoing indefinite bandh on the Imphal-Moreh route from February 4 midnight following government�s assurance that their demands will be �considered�. The assurance was conveyed by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh after chairing a Unified Command meeting with the security forces this afternoon, sources said.
