IMPHAL, August 6: The 48-hour state-wide general strike imposed by Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) Students`™ Wing in pursuance of its demands put up to the government and in condemnation of the police excesses meted out to student protestors greatly affected normal life in the State.
Business establishments and shops remained shut down during the course of the strike.
Inter-state and inter-district passenger services stayed off the roads. Movement of private vehicles and commuters on the roads was minimal.
Strike supporters blocked roads in different places by burning tyres, placing wood logs and forming human chains. Passage of vehicles and commuters in many areas was also disrupted by strike supporters.
Women folk of Changangei Uchekon and youths blocked the entrance gate of Imphal Tulihal Airport by burning tyre in front of the gate disrupting passage of passengers.
Police fired tear gas shells and mock bombs to disperse them. However, the enraged protestors refused to retreat back till late evening. After much attempt, police managed to take out some passengers from the airport.
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Francis Ngajokpa was amongst the passengers who managed to come out of the airport with the help of police.
Road blocks were also witnsessed at several places including Singjamei, Sagolband Tera, Chingamakha, Heirangoithong, Nongmeibung, Checkon, Soibam Leikai, Keishamthong, Yumnam Leikai, Mayengbam Leikai, Ghari, Keishampat and Sangaiprou.
Supporting the strike, sit-in-protests were staged by women folk of Lalambung Makhong, Chungkham Leirak, Soram Leirak, Kangjabi Leirak, RIMS Machin Apunba Commitee, Tera Sayang Lambi Meira Paibi Lup, United Progressive Organization, Sagolband Bijoy Govinda Apunba Nupi Lup, Sagolband Mabudhou Mantri Meira Paibi Lup and SYPO in their respective areas.
Effigies of Chief Minister O Ibobi, Deputy CM Gaikhangam and Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai were burnt by protestors at Kangjabi Machin and Sagolband Tera.
On the other hand, a sit-in-protest was staged by staff of Imphal Hospital appealing to allow free passage to medical staff during the strike.
The general strike which ended at 6 pm today also hit normal life in Tamenglong district.
There was no movement of all types of vehicles along the National Highway-37 (Imphal-Jiribam Road) and Imphal-Tamenglong Road due to the strike. However, no untoward incident took place during the course of the strike.