Imphal, March 31:
The 42 hour General Strike called by Manipur Muslim Welfare Organisation (MMWO) which commenced from the mid-night of March 30, 2018 has affected most of the Muslim inhabited areas in the State.
Supporters of the strike clashed with police personnel in different parts of the State and in response police fired tear gas shells and mock bombs to disperse the protesters.
Demanding establishment of a separate directorate for the minorities, issue of white paper of the enquiry report of schemes under MOBC Department from 2010 to 2017 and the charge that the MOBC has violated rights to PDS items of the minorities, MMWO have called the general strike from midnight of March 30, 2018 till 6pm of April 1.
Since early morning, general strike supporters at Hatta Minuthong, Khurai Heigrumakhong, Khabeisoi, Khsetrigao, Thoubal Moijing Mina Bazar, Yairipok, Lilong Bazar, Sora, Keirao Makting and Mayang Imphal Bengoon stopped any vehicles and commuters plying on the roads.
Clashes broke out between the general strike supporters and the police personnel at Khabeisoi, Khurai Heigrumakhong, Keirao Makting where the general strike supporters pelted stones at the police personnel.
To control the situation, more police personnel were deployed and even firing tear gas shells and mock bombs were fired to disperse the protestors.
There has been no report of any serious casualty apart from some minor injuries on the protestor’s side from the fired tear gas shells and mock bombs by the police personnel and atleast 10 general strike supporters have been pick up so far.
Situation at most of the general strike areas have been taken under control though some protestors are still firing slings to the police personnel.
On the other hand, a school van bearing registration number MN01X2383 carrying students of pre Nursery to class 5 studying at Brighter Academy in New Checkon was destroyed by supporters of the general strike called by MMWO.
Soubam Superman, driver the destroyed van told ImphalTimes that around 6:30 early this morning, more than 30 general strike supporters attacked his van pelting stones near Hatta Minuthong despite informing that young students were still inside the van.
The protestors of the general strike paid no attention despite telling them that the vehicle was ferrying school children’s, he added.
All Manipur School Student’s Transporter Association has strongly condemned the incident and urged the supporters of the general strike to make it very clear if there is any restrictions on vehicles carrying school students.
The association also urge the supporters not to misconducts such terrifying incident to the young children in the name of a general strike.
