In Imphal day-1 shutdown paralyzed life after VDVs arrest

Imphal: Despite a 16-hour relaxation of curfew in Imphal East and Imphal West districts, the first day of a state-wide 48-hour shutdown paralyzed Imphal on Tuesday.
All Kongba Road United Clubs Organisation, an umbrella body of 27 local clubs; Kuraomakhong United Club, Sagolband Kuraomakkhong, Sayang Road and Naorem Yaiphakol, Naorem Leikai called a statewide 48-hour bandh against the arrest of five village defense volunteers and demanded their immediate and unconditional release.
Bandh supporters were seen blocking most of the roads in the Imphal Valley region, which began on Tuesday morning. The shutdown continued throughout the day.
After the bandh, commuters faced a huge problem as the bandh supporters blocked the roads by burning wooden logs, water pipes and tires in the East and West districts of Imphal. However, essential services were allowed to pass through the blockade.
At some places, police and RAF fired tear gas shells to disperse the bandh supporters.

The windscreen of a bus carrying RAF personnel was damaged in Tera Bazar after retaliatory firing and stone pelting by the bandh supporters.

Transport, passenger services, markets, shops and institutions remained closed. However, few government employees were seen coming to work.
Yumnam Hitler, president of Langathbal Kendra Club coordinator, who is part of the bandh call, told the media that the government should not arrest the village volunteers. He questioned that if the government arrests the village volunteers who are protecting their respective villages, then who will protect the border villages?
Clashes and unrest have been going on in the state for the past four months. He added that with the help of volunteers, many villagers are being protected from attacks by Kuki militants.