38-hour bandh called in Manipur

A 38-hour bandh beginning from 5 am on Tuesday has been called in Manipur protesting against the state government's failure to punish those behind the killing of a student during the July 8 agitation for implementation of the Inner Line Permit System in the state.

The bandh would coincide with the 15-hour relaxation of the indefinite curfew that was clamped in Greater Imphal area after the death of the student on July 8.

Officials said restrictions under section 144 CrPC, would, however, be in force and would not allow assembly of five or more persons or carrying of sticks, stone and objects which could be use as weapons.

The Joint Action Committee, which called the bandh said it would continue till 7 pm of July 29 and urged people to stage protest marches and sit-ins.

A release by the JAC said the government instead of punishing police personnel responsible for Sapam Robinhood's killing was protecting them.

Essential services and religious functions would be outside the purview of the bandh, it said.

The JAC criticised MLA N Biren, a member of the drafting committee of a new bill to be presented in Manipur assembly within a month to protect the indigenous people of the state, for his failure to implement his assurances that action would be taken against the police personnel responsible for the student's death.

The committee said it would boycott the MLA, the release added.