Normal life crippled in Manipur due to 24-hour general strike

Imphal: Normal life in Manipur was crippled on Wednesday due to a 24-hour general strike called by the underground group Kangleipak Communist Party–Military Council (Progressive), in protest against the proposed festivities of the Sangai Festival scheduled to be held from November 21 to 30 in Imphal.

The bandh severely affected the five valley districts, as markets, business establishments, educational institutes, and banks remained closed.

The main market centres of the state, including Khwairamband Bazar, Paona Market, Thangal Market, Bir Tikendrajit Market, Ima Market, and surrounding shops in Imphal city, remained shut, giving the area a deserted look.

Public transport vehicles stayed off the roads, while interstate and inter-district bus services came to a grinding halt. The main roads in the valley districts also wore a deserted appearance.

However, movement of security vehicles was seen at strategic locations across the state. Air services remained unaffected, though the state was effectively cut off from the rest of the country by road.

Attendance in government offices was reported to be very thin. Essential services, including medical care, water supply, religious functions, and electricity, were exempted from the purview of the strike.

KCP-MC (Progressive) Information and Publicity Secretary Maikhumba Meitei, in a statement, said the outfit called for boycotting the festival due to the prevailing situation arising from ongoing ethnic violence in the state.

The KCP warned that if the President’s administration does not allow free movement for Meiteis on the national highways by December 3, 2025, it would impose a month-long bandh.