Life came to a standstill in Thoubal district of Manipur on Saturday with the Thoubal River Conservation Committee calling a 24-hour total shut down of the district from Friday midnight to midnight of Saturday.
The bandh has been called in protest against the State Government’s alleged failure to save the Thoubal River.
However, the 24 hours shut down will not affect schools, medical emergency services, electricity departments, water supply, customary/religious activities.
The media is also exempted from the purview of the bandh.
The Thoubal River Conservation Committee served a deadline of February 16 and had warned that it will intensify tis agitation if the Government failed to respond positively before the deadline.
People in Thoubal district have been demanding initiatives from the Government to make the river pollution free.
Several clubs and organizations have been demanding a tight regulation to check sand mining in the river.
Appeals were made to the concerned departments of the Government on February 4 regarding the water getting muddy.
But the authorities have failed to take any actions, said locals.