Strike affects normal life in state, constable suspended

Normal life in Manipur was disrupted on Thursday following a 24-hour general strike called to protest the brutal killing of a relative of former chief minister, the late R.K. Joychandra Singh, by police on Wednesday.

Official sources said markets, shops and business establishments remained closed in response to the strike called by a local committee, People’s Action Committee Against the Brutal Killing of RK Sanajaoba Singh. However, transport services between Manipur and neighbouring states remained unaffected as the decision to call the strike was announced late on Wednesday night and the information did not reach transport offices in time, the operators claimed.

Security has been tightened at many places to prevent any untoward incident as the body of 34-year-old Sanajaoba was yet to be collected by his family members who refused to do so unless an inquiry was ordered into the incident, sources said. Several social organisations, including Apunba Lup which has been agitating for removal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the state, issued statements in support of the strike. Meanwhile, the constable who shot Singh was suspended on Wednesday night, and Joyshree Remni, officer in-charge of Patsoi PS in Imphal West district, was transferred to police headquarters.