Normal life in the valley districts of Manipur was hit due to a 72-hour shutdown called by the World Meitei Council against the alleged negligence of the Meiteis by the BJP Government.
Except for a few stray incidents the shutdown was by and large peaceful.
Vehicles except those engaged in essential services were off the road and govt offices, banks and commercial establishments remained closed.
Normal life in the hill districts had been thrown out of gear since Friday midnight as a result of the “indefinite economic blockade” called by the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur and other federation students and civil organizations of the tribals.
They are protesting against the refusal of the State Government to recommend the Autonomous District Council Bill, 2021.
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren said that it was not an “indefinite economic blockade. There are some blockades in some pockets of the hill areas. Many groups do not support the strike and all chairmen of ADCs had announced that they are not connected with the strike in any manner. We are bringing the stranded commercial vehicles under armed escort”.
He said that the matter should be tackled by the Parliament and not by the State Assembly.
Former Minister Okram Joy said that the Hill Areas Committee has no authority to support the Bill and the Assembly secretary has no power to recommend it to the Government.
The World Meitei Council has been demanding the recommendation to the Centre to include the Meiteis in the scheduled tribe list.