General strike paralyses normal life in Manipur

The strike was called by a students' organisation in protest of a decision during Santosh Trophy football match.

Normal life was crippled on Tuesday in Manipur following a 22-hour general strike called by a students' organisation in protest against a controversial decision by referee Saji Kouriyan during a Santosh Trophy football match between Manipur and Goa in Kerala.

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Markets, shops and business establishments remained closed in view of the Manipur Students Federation-sponsored general strike which was being supported by several social organisations.

Attendance in government offices was "almost nil", official reports said.

Transport services between Manipur and neighbouring states and within the state were cancelled in response to the strike which would end at 5 pm on Tuesday.

Central para-military and state forces were deployed at all important strategic points to prevent any untoward incident. Reports from districts said the strike was total in all the districts.