Tribal students' bandh affects life in Manipur

Imphal, May 24 (UNI) A 24-hour statewide strike called by the All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM), which began midnight last night, affected life today.

All business establishments were closed in view of the bandh.

Educational institutes however, remained open as the ATSUM had allowed the schools to run.

Inter-state bus services were also suspended.

The ATSUM had also called an economic blockade from midnight of May 19. They said it would halt the economic blockade on the two National Highways 39 and 53 from tomorrow.

Official sources said over 250 trucks, which were stranded at the Mao gate on NH-39 on the Manipur-Nagaland border were escorted to Imphal last evening.

The Churachandpur District Students' Union(CDSU) had also supported the bandh. The ATSUM had demanded amendment of SC and ST appointment rules and better share for the backward communities in the state.

UNI