President visits Manipur amid boycott call

Imphal, Oct 16 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam arrived today on a day's maiden visit to Manipur amid a boycott call by a section of the people.

Dr Kalam was received by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, his senior cabinet ministers and officials at the Tulihal airport.

From their the President flew to the Manipur University to address its tenth convocation.

Capital Imphal and most parts of the state, however, wore a deserted look as the Working Committee of Apunba Lup and a large number of organisations had given a boycott call of the President's visit protesting against imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, in the state.

The state government had taken extraordinary security measures with security personnel stationed at all important places. Though armed personnel were positioned on the main roads of Imphal, strike supporters burnt tyres and blocked all roads in Imphal.

Due to the strike all passenger bus services were cancelled and educational institutes and business establishments closed.

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