Imphal: The 48-hour general strike called by the Manipur University Students’ Union, demanding the removal of the university vice-chancellor, entered its second day on Thursday, paralysing normal life in the state. Educational institutes, shops, markets and government offices were closed and vehicular movement remained suspended, the police said. The protesters blocked the roads in various localities, including at Kongpal and Wangkhei in Imphal East district, Wangjing and Thoubal Bazaar in Thoubal district and Thangmeiband in Imphal West district.
They burnt tyres and put up barricades in some streets, the police said. Heavy security was deployed in the vicinity of the chief minister’s bungalow, Raj Bhavan and the surrounding areas of the high-security zone, they added.
The security was beefed up after a large number of protesters tried to forcibly enter Raj Bhavan, the main office of the BJP and the secretariat on July 16 and 17, the police said, adding that over 10 students and two security personnel were also injured. (PTI)
