Thingbaijam Dhamen
Imphal: Normal life, particularly business activities in almost all the major markets across the valley districts of strife-hit Manipur, was hit by the 48-hour bandh imposed in protest against arrest of three members of UNLF (P) including two top leaders by NIA.
Meanwhile, the civil society organisations sponsoring the bandh today announced cutting short the agitation to 24 hours, that is, the bandh will be concluded at midnight of today (Friday).
As many as 12 civil society organizations endorsed the bandh announced by the Federation of Civil Society Organizations (FOCS)
Coupled with the commencement of the final exam of Class-X conducted by the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BoSEM), traffic was almost normal in the early hours of the general strike.
However, shops and other business centres downed their shutters in support of the general strike.
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In the morning, a large number of vendors were seen transacting their business in the markets in Imphal and its outskirts including the iconic all-women-run markets.
However, bandh supporters forced them to suspend their business.
At some places, protesters also blocked the movement of vehicles while giving relaxation to the essential services related with the exam.
In Bishnupur and Thoubal districts, the normal vehicle movement was severely affected as a large number of strike supporters came out on the roads, mainly on the main roads connecting with other districts and imposed the general strike.
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In Bishnupur district, strike supporters shattered windshields of many vehicles, violating the general strike.
The FOCS and 12 other organisations called the general strike while pressing to release the three members of the UNLF(P) immediately without any conditions.
A team of NIA officials assisted by the state and the Central forces arrested the three members including the army chief of UNLF(P) and its intelligence chief from Imphal’s Kwakeithel area on March 13.
They were later taken to New Delhi by a special flight of the Indian Air Force.
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Reportedly, the NIA has taken them into their custody for 10 days after producing them in a special NIA court in Delhi where they were produced on the same day.
The Pambei-led UNLF had signed a peace deal with the government of India on November 29, 2023. Later, the leaders and cadres of the faction were felicitated by the state government with a grant function held at Kangla fort on December 2 last year.
Meanwhile, the 48-hour general strike has been shortened to 24-hour in consideration of the ongoing Class-X and other examinations, stated a press release from the 13 organisations which imposed the strike.
However, various democratic forms of protests seeking the release of the three arrested members will continue, the press release added.
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