Strike cripples life in Manipur

Markets, shops and business establishments remained closed in the state due to the strike called by Apunb Lup (A L) which began from midnight last.

Transport services between Manipur and neighbouring states and within the state were also affected.

Attendance in government offices was almost nil, official sources said.

Reports from the districts said the strike also affected several parts of both hill and valley districts.

While official sources maintain the youth identified as Ch Sanjit (27) was a militant and killed in an encounter with police commandos on July 23 last at Imphal market complex, the social organisation claimed that he was innocent and killed in a fake encounter.

The state witnessed mass agitation after pictures of the encounter were published in a Delhi-based news magazine.

Condemning the alleged fake encounter, an apex body of social organisations United Committee Manipur and several other outfits in separate statements have demanded resignation of Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh for what they termed as "indulging in state terrorism".

They have also threatened to launch a series of agitations if "fake encounters" were not stopped immediately in Manipur.