IMPHAL: The 24-hour general strike called by the coordinating committee of 27 assembly constituencies in Manipur on Saturday paralysed normal life in Imphal Valley, with markets and business establishments remaining shut in almost all localities.
Public transport stayed off the road and only a few private vehicles were seen plying on the streets.
Schools also remained closed due to the strike from midnight.
The hill districts, however, have largely been unaffected by the strike, which was called by the committee to demand an emergency assembly session to discuss various issues.
The committee’s convenor L Binod had earlier said that the strike is not to add to the hardships of the people, but to “pressure the government”.
Meanwhile, the Manipur cabinet on Friday recommended Governor Anusuiya Uikey to convene a session of the assembly from August 21.
The previous assembly session was held in March.
Manipur has been witnessing ethnic violence that broke out in May, and sporadically continued to plague the north-eastern state for the last three months, claiming over 160 lives.