Manipur comes to a standstill during 24-hour shutdown
The Hindu
The strike call was given by the JAC formed to seek justice for social activist Athuan Abonmei who was allegedly kidnapped and murdered on September 22
Normal life in Manipur was completely thrown out of gear as a result of the 24-hour shutdown which began from October 3 midnight. This is in protest against the ‘failure’ of the Manipur government to concede to the demands of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed to seek justice for Athuan Abonmei, a social worker who was allegedly abducted and then later murdered on September 22. All sections of people extended support to the shutdown and stayed indoors.
In what is said to be the first instance of unity among the people of the valley and the hills, the shutdown was a complete success. The non-tribal organisations in the valley extended support to all campaigns by the JAC pointing out that Abonmei had strived for the unity and co-existence of the people in the hills and valley.
In the past, there was no sign of coordination among the people of the valley and the hills during such agitations. The strikes in the hills had no impact in the valley and vice versa.