Day 1 of 48 hours Manipur bandh total

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 2: Normal life in Manipur was crippled today as a result of the 48 hour State-wide bandh imposed by the JAC constituted in connection with death of Ningthoujam Babysana.
During the first day of the bandh today, effigies of Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Principal of Standard Robarth Higher Secondary School, Pheiroijam Landhoni, were burned by bandh supporters in various locations.
The bandh hampered all forms of business activities in Imphal City and major business centres in and around the State capital remained shut throughout the day.
All inter-district passenger services remained suspended but a few private vehicles related with emergency service and religious activities, were seen plying along the roads.
Business establishments, shops, oil pumps, cinema halls  etc in and around Imphal remained closed. Thangal Keithel, Paona Keithel, Khwairamband Keithel and temporary market remained deserted as well.
Educational institutions, and attendance at Government offices was minimal.
During early morning, bandh supporters came out and blocked vehicular movement along Khoya-thong road, burning tyres and putting barriers in the middle of the road. However, police personnel deployed in the area removed the tyres and other objects to ensure free movement of vehicles.
In the afternoon, effigies of Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Principal Standard Robarth Hr Sec School Ph Landhoni, were burned by bandh supporters along Imphal-Ukhrul road. Bandh supporters also disturbed vehicle movement at Lamlong, JNIMS road, Khurai Ahongei etc.
On the other hand, large number of  police personnel, including IRB, Manipur Rifles and 9 IRB Mahila battalion, were deployed in various locations of Imphal East and Imphal West districts to prevent any untoward incident from occurring due to the 48 hours Statewide bandh.
A large number of police personnel were also deployed at Thangmeiband area and police also prevented gathering of more than 5 people in the said area, apart herding away people who had gathered at the road side in groups.
There is no report of any untoward incidents and the bandh remained in effect mostly peaceful today.
It may be mentioned that the Statewide bandh was imposed by the JAC demanding the release of its members who are presently lodged in judicial remand at Manipur Central Jail Sajiwa and Manipur Central Jail Imphal, as well as demanding Chief Minister N Biren to head to Delhi and hand over the case to Central Bureau of Investigation and to show proof that the case has been actually handed over to CBI.