Strike cripples life in Manipur

The 48-hour general strike called by the followers of arrested Inner Line Permit (ILP) movement leader Khomdram Ratan crippled normal life in Manipur today.
The strike began from midnight last night and since morning, all vehicular traffic were stopped as all the inter- state, inter-district and buses, taxis and autorickshaws were off the road, police said.
Shutters were down in all business establishments including main business centres of Imphal city, Khwairamband Women Markets.
All educational institutions and entertainment houses were also closed, police said.
The strike will continue till midnight tomorrow.
The organisation "Joint Action Committee Against Declaration of Wanted Tag on Ratan" called the strike to protest against the arrest of Ratan on Wednesday night.

Ratan, former convenor of the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System, was arrested from Keishampat Leimajam Leikai Community Hall in Imphal West district where he took part in a hunger strike with others.
The police had in June declared Ratan 'wanted' and announced a reward of Rs five lakh for anyone who could provide information leading to his arrest.
Ratan was remanded for nine days in police custody by a district court yesterday.