Strike called during Kalam's Manipur visit

A nine-hour general strike is being called by four groups to protest the human rights violations by the Army.

Four influential groups have called a nine-hour general strike on Monday during President APJ Abdul Kalam's day-long visit to Manipur to protest the continuance of a legislation that gives the army unlimited powers to deal with militancy.

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The Apunba Lup, the apex body of 32 social organisations, the All Manipur Students' Union, Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur, and the Kangleipak Students' Association said they would boycott the president's entire programme in the state.

"Our protest is against the continuing human rights violations by the army in the name of countering insurgency under the pretext of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Manipur," an Apunba Lup leader said.

The controversial AFSPA provides unlimited powers to the security forces to shoot or arrest anybody without a warrant.

The president is due to arrive on Monday in Imphal for the 10th convocation of the Manipur University. He is to also visit two villages in Senapati and Churachandpur districts.

Kalam is scheduled to leave for Mizoram the same day. He is also scheduled to arrive at Silchar in Assam and stay overnight in Guwahati.