JAC calls Manipur bandh tomorrow, blockade raises prices

Imphal, Jan 10 (UNI) The Joint Action Committee against the killing of a girl, identified as Sh Thambaltombi of Andro Awang Leikai, Imphal East, called a 24-hour general strike tomorrow demanding arrest of all those involved in the murder.

The JAC alleged the girl was killed on December 17 at Andro hill after allegedly being raped.

Police has so far rounded up six persons for questioning.

Sit-in-protests and mass rallies by school students were organised to protest the killing.

Meanwhile, sit-in-protests continued at Senapati district today to protest the kidnapping of two boys -Mohini Martin and Hriini Hubert- on December 14 from Senapati district.

Meanwhile, the indefinite economic blockade called by All Tribal Students Association Manipur (ATSUM) which began on January 5 on the two highways of Manipur, NH 39 and 53, was still continuing.

The transportation of goods has come to a grinding halt and the business communities started hiking prices of all essential items from the day the blockade started. A 50 kg rice bag, priced at Rs430, was sold for Rs 530 from January 6 onwards. Likewise, the prices of all essential items have sky rocketed.

Meanwhile, all the oil depots of Manipur have closed down as they could not supply petrol and kerosene to the people. Petrol has been sold at Rs 70 to Rs 80 per litre in the black market. The highly adulterated petrol has caused major problems in the state.

Police said a large number of vehicles were stranded at the Manipur-Nagaland border at Mao due to the blockade.

Police said escorts were provided to bring the vehicles back to Imphal. A transport operator said it was risky to bring the vehicles to Imphal as the escort was not adequate. As the possibility of any minor problem of tyre puncture was not ruled out in the long highway the drivers were refusing to take the risk, he said.

The All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) had imposed the indefinite economic blockade to protest the failure of the Ibobi led government to look after the tribals of the state.

UNI