Wildcat AMSU bandh peaceful but affects normal life

IMPHAL, January 18: The 24 hour bandh called by the All Manipur Students' Union, AMSU, in protest against the assassination attempt on AMSU president Kh Gourashyam seriously affected life in Imphal east and west districts, but had relatively lesser affected elsewhere in the state. No major untoward incident was reported during the strike, which began at midnight, though some old tyres were set ablaze on the road at Uripok, Yaiskul and Lamphel this morning by some bandh supporters. On the other hand, most educational institutions, including schools, colleges and Manipur University remained shut on account of the bandh. Markets and shops, except a few in some localities were also shut. Attendances were extremely poor at government offices. Only the high-ranking officials were seen working at most departments. Most vehicles stayed off the road, and normal passengers services were suspended. On the other hand, except for severing of transport links with Imphal, the bandh had comparatively little effect in Thoubal and Bishnupur districts, as well as in the hill districts, apparently owing to the haste in which the bandh had been called. Reports reaching here said markets, shops, schools and government offices operated normally in Thoubal and Bishnupur districts, as well as in the hill areas. Local passenger services also operated in these areas. In the meantime, while inter-district passenger bus services were cancelled on account of the bandh, there are reports that passenger buses and good trucks that coming from Dimapur and Guwahati along national highways 39 and 53 being stranded at Mao and Noney respectively. Most of these vehicles have however reached Imphal intact this evening.