The first day of the 72-hour statewide general strike called by the World Meetei Council (WMC) crippled normal life partly in Manipur on Thursday.
The WMC called for the shutdown in protest against the state government failure to recommend inclusion of Meetei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list.
Despite the general strike, decorative works were carried out in various streets of Imphal in connection with the visit of BJP national president JP Nadda in the state.
Most of the business establishment in the two main markets (Thangal Bazar and Paona Bazar) in Imphal city remained closed. Nationalised banks and petrol pumps also remained closed. Traffic flow was reduced. The number of passenger service vehicles plying on the road was very low compared to normal days.
However, most of the shops in Imphal area remained open. Most of the private offices were also opened in closed door. Government institutes and offices functioned smoothly as usual. Educational institutes also remained functional though the the numbers of students turnup was reduced.
Taking advantage of the closing of petrol pumps, many were selling petrol and diesel on the roadside in black market.
Surprisingly, there was no sign of any protesters or supporters of the general strike blocking the street.
In a release, the WMC on Thursday said that it is unfortunate that the police and CID are collecting the personal data of the three-day general strike supporters.
"It is an act to suppressed their movement of demanding ST status for Meetei community. It is totally un-democratic," it added.
The release also expressed its condemnation against Chief Minister N Biren for using the words "noi Meetei" which is a disrespectful act to the community and demanded to take in his words.
The agitation is taken up for the welfare of the future generation as without the ST status the Meetei community will soon go in peril, it said, appealing to the general public to support the general strike.
