Gen strike cripples normal life in Tbl, now intensifies to Statewide bandh

Our Correspondent
THOUBAL, Oct 1: The 48 hours general strike called against the Government’s failure to rescue the two youths who are being held captive by Kuki militants since September 27 crippled normal life in Thoubal district today.
Meanwhile the JAC formed in connection with the abduction of the two youths announced this evening that the general strike will cover the whole State with immediate effect.  
The general strike which came into effect from 3 am today evoked massive response with a large number of people coming out and blocking highways and roads at different places.
All major markets of the district including Lilong Keithel, Thoubal Keithel, Babu Keithel, Athokpam Keithel, Yairipok Tampha Keithel, New Market and Wangjing Keithel remained closed.
Banks as well Government offices located in the district headquarters remained closed and there was no passenger transport service.
Even as police kept a strict vigil at all sensitive areas, students, religious functions, medical and other emergency services were exempted from the general strike.
A large number of people who came from different places blocked NH-102 at Yairipok Lamkhai near Thoubal Mela Ground. Womenfolk sat in the middle of the highway saying that they would not move until the two abducted youths are handed over to their families.
A similar road blockade was also seen on Yairipok bridge. The huge number of protesters gathered there forced two army vehicles which came from Thoubal side to turn back.        
Roads were also blocked at Thoubal Kshetri Leikai, Wangbal, Wangjing, Lilong, Charangpat, Huidrom Leikai and Wangkhem Keithel.
Meanwhile, Irom Bimol, spokesman of the JAC formed in connection with the abduction of the two youths said that stronger mass movements may erupt if the Government of India and the State Government could not rescue the two youths within 48 hours.
He said that the Government has been only seeking  more and more time since September 27.
Putting faith in the Government’s assurance,  a larger number of people were waiting for safe return of the  two youths by staging a peaceful sit-in-protest protest at Thoubal Mela Ground yesterday, he said.
After the Government failed to deliver their own assurance, the people decided to call a 48 hours general strike in Thoubal district with effect from this morning.
Asking both the Government of India and the State Government to give up their habit of keeping mum to such sensitive issues, the JAC spokesman said that the ongoing Chin-Kuki aggression has crossed all limits and has hurt the sentiments of people beyond words.
Saying that there is no guarantee that a strong people’s movement to the scale of the one witnessed in Bangladesh will not erupt in Manipur, he said that the JAC will not be able to control the aggrieved people if the Government fails to hand over the two abducted youths to their parents within 48 hours.
Meanwhile the Thoubal Amasung Kakching District Apunba Lup (TAKDAL) has urged the Government to use all its powers and resources to rescue the two youths.
TAKDAL has also sought support from all CSOs, clubs and Meira Paibi organisations in securing safe release of the two youths. Supporting the 48 hours general strike, a protest demonstration was staged at Ebudhou Naohallai ground, Kakching Bazar under the aegis of the All Kakching Clubs Coordinating Committee.
The protesters used placards and festoons which read as “Thokchom Thoi-thoiba and Oinam Thoithoi must be released immediately”, “Centre and State must act immediately”,  “Kuki terrorists who are demanding ransom by keeping the two youths as hostages must be arrested immediately” etc.