Bandh paralyses normal life in Manipur

The state capital wore a deserted look today as the 24-hour bandh called by the Manipur Peoples Party (MPP) and the MEELAL met with near-total response. The bandh had been called on January 1 to protest the killing of Chingsubam Akaba — MEELAL ex-president, senior MPP member and social activist — by unidentified gunmen at a little past midnight on January 1.

No one has claimed responsibility for the killing as yet. Officials said attendence in government offices was “thin” while educational institutions remained closed in response to the strike. Reports said hundreds of volunteers of Meelal marched in a procession with Akaba’s body through different parts of Imphal last evening, shouting slogans. Very little business was transacted today in Imphal as business establishments in the usually bustling business centres of Thangal Bazaar and Paona Bazaar downed shutters fearing bandh-related violence.

Meanwhile, the proposed visit of a team of Election Commision of India officials led by Chief Election Commissionar Gopalaswamy has been postponed by a day. Sources said the severe fog problem at New Delhi airport was responsible for the change in schedule. The CEC led four-member team was scheduled to arrive in Imphal today to take stock of preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. Elections here are to be held in three phases, beginning February 8.

One member of the ECI team has, however, arrived in Imphal and has proceeded to take stock of the situation in Bishnupur district, sources added.