24-hr bandh in Manipur to protest 2 new dams

Imphal, Dec 16: Life came to a standstill in Manipur as the anti-dam organisations like Zeliangrong Union and Action Committee against Tipaimukh dam (ACTIP) called a 24-hour statewide general strike starting from 6 pm yesterday to protest dam construction and power projects.

All inter-state bus services were cancelled in view of the strike and most educational institutes remained closed. The business establishments were also closed.

The Tipaimukh dam and Loktak downstream foundation stone laying ceremony by Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Heavy Industries minister Santosh Mohan Dev at Churachandpur and Thangal villages were scheduled today. Both the power projects would be undertaken by North East Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO).

Effigies of Union Ministers and Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh were burnt by people protesting the proposed foundation stone laying of the two projects.

Over two dozen organisations have supported the strike.

State Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh had instructed all the heads of Departments to check the attendance record of the employees under their jurisdictions today. However, attendence in government offices were very low.

UNI