Imphal, July 21 NNN: The 60-hour Manipur bandh call given by JAC formed against disappearance of one Irungbam Irabanta evoked a mixed response on Saturday as by and large normal life in the state was not affected by it.
However, around 50 goods loaded trucks heading Ukhrul district were reportedly blocked by bandh supporters near Lamlai, Imphal East. The trucks remained stranded in the area till late afternoon.
At Khurai Lamlong Bazaar, members of the JAC, including Irungbam Madhubala, wife of Irabanta blocked Imphal-Ukhrul road since early morning. But, police arrived at the spot around 1:30 pm and dispersed them. Madhubala was fainted on the ground as she tried to block the road by resting herself in the middle of the road.
Later, the police brought her to Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) here. She is now taking treatment at the hospital.
Meanwhile, some schools and markets in the capital areas were closed due to the strike but it did not hit normal traffic as the volume of vehicular movement on the roads could be seen as usual.
Bandh supporters in Nongdam area under Lamlai Police Station blocked all the roads leading to the village. Nongdam in Imphal East is the native village of irabanta.
The bandh call, started from 5 am Saturday will end at 5 pm of July 23. It has been imposed by the JAC as the state government has failed to trace Irabanta till now even after about two months of his disappearance.
Irungbam Irabanta, 38, son of late I Kerani, a resident of Nongdam Maning Leikai in Andro, was allegedly kidnapped by NSCN-IM and that his whereabouts is still remained unknown.
Irabanta is stated to be a supplier of sand and stone for the construction of Maphou Dam. He had left home along with one MK Winner, 33, son of Ramsing for Ukhrul in a Maruti Gypsy on May 28 at about 7:30 am.
It is also said that MK Winner with whom he left home has close link with the NSCN-IM.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/strike-evokes-mixed-response/
