IMPHAL, July 26 � The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) sponsored 18-hour Statewide general strike in Manipur passed off peacefully in Manipur at 6 pm today.
The Joint Committee called the strike in protest against the alleged police brutalities on students while staging a democratic agitation and the government�s alleged indifferent attitude towards the demand of introduction of ILPsystem in Manipur.
The strike paralysed normal life in the State particularly in the State capital and valley districts. Besides the strike supporters, a large number of women in groups came out to the streets of Imphal and enforced the strike.
The busy Khwairamband keithel here, the busy Singjamei super market area and Lamlong keithel junction in Imphal East district wore a deserted look throughout the day.
The market places and business establishments in the State remained closed in view of the strike while the important roads in the State capital wore a desolate look as most of the inter-State, inter-district and local passenger transport services suspended their services. The strike, however, did not affect the normal air traffic.
Meanwhile, many women organisations have strongly condemned the police action on students while staging democratic forms of protest in Imphal. The angry womenfolks of Singjamei had also staged a torch rally in Imphal last night while Meira Paibi bodies of various places including Top, Chingamakha, etc., staged a sit-in demonstration.
Denouncing the police action, BJP Manipur Pradesh has demanded introduction of ILP in the State and unconditional release of the detained students.
