Bandh affects normal life in Manipur

Normal life was affected today in Manipur because of a day-long bandh called by a local committee demanding arrest of alleged rapists of a college student at Yairipok area in Thoubal district, officials said.
Markets, shops, business establishments and theatres remained closed while transport services between Manipur and neighbouring states were cancelled, official reports said.
State Assembly session would continue today despite the bandh because election for the post of Deputy Speaker of the House will be held today.
A 17-year-old girl student went to Yairipok Universal College in Thoubal district on June 19 to collect admission form but she was abducted by unidentified persons from the campus and allegedly raped.

After the incident, the girl was later left at her house at midnight on the same day, officials said, adding that police is investigating into the matter.
Reports from district headquarters said bandh also affected normal life both in the hills and valley districts with all markets remaining closed in the interior parts of the district.

Bandh was 'total' at the Muslim-dominated Lilong and Yairipok areas in Thoubal district, reports said.
A spokesman of 'Muslim social workers' union said they supported the bandh called by joint action committee formed by local residents of Yairipok area from where the victim hails. No untoward incident has been reported so far.

A senior leader of 'Muslim Social workers' Union alleged there was only one rapist, supported by his friends while kidnapping the girl.
He said police failed to arrest him because he is a personnel of the village defence force (VDF). When asked, police sources said the investigation was on and did not give further details.