Strike brings normal life to halt in Manipur

However, no untoward incident has been reported from any part of the state, sources said.

Normal life came to a grinding halt across Manipur on Saturday as a 17-hour strike called by a joint front of insurgent groups went underway amidst tight security.

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The strike by Manipur Peoples Liberation Front, is in protest against the "state's merger with the Union" on this day in 1949.

No untoward incident has been reported from any part of the state, sources said.

Markets, shops, business establishments, industrial units and educational institutions remained closed across the state.

In Imphal, most of the streets wore a deserted look with people staying indoors, while security and police personnel were seen patrolling the strategic points.

Despite strict instructions, attendance in the secretariat was thin and below normal in government and semi-government offices, official sources said adding, security and police forces were deployed at various points to enable employees to report for work.

Banks failed to operate as majority of their employees were absent, while all inter-state bus services and transport services within the state and between Imphal and district headquarters were cancelled affecting life in all the districts.

However, the flight between Imphal and Kolkata operated on schedule, a source in the Indian Airlines said.