Imphal: Normal life was severely disrupted across Manipur’s five valley districts on the first day of a 48-hour general strike called by the Campaign for Just and Free Delimitation (JFD) to demand implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census.
Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur witnessed widespread shutdowns, with major business centres, shops and commercial markets remaining closed. Public transport, auto-rickshaws and commercial vehicles stayed off the roads, leaving major streets and highways largely deserted except for a few private vehicles.
Schools, colleges, banks, fuel stations and other educational institutions also remained closed, while government offices recorded low attendance.
Strike supporters moved through key areas of the valley districts to enforce the shutdown, restricting the movement of residents. During the shutdown, roads and key highways were blocked at several places using makeshift barriers, including burning tyres, bamboo poles and boulders.
Officials said security forces continued to maintain movement along National Highway-37 between Jiribam and Imphal, with CRPF-escorted convoys operating according to road conditions, blockades and the need to clear stranded vehicles.
They said convoy operations were adjusted dynamically depending on the situation, including during larger movements involving hundreds of stranded trucks and tankers.
Emergency and essential services remained exempt from the shutdown to ensure access to medical care, law enforcement, utility maintenance and supplies of essential food items.