Manipur strike to end tonight in view of Manipuri Language Day

tomorrow Imphal, Aug 19 (PTI) The 48-hour general strike calledby the followers of arrested Inner Line Permit (ILP) movementleader Khomdram Ratan, which had crippled normal life inManipur today, will end at midnight tonight in view ofcelebration of Manipuri Language Day tomorrow. A press release issued late tonight by the convenor ofthe Joint Action Committee Against Declaration of Wanted Tagon Ratan (JACADOWTOR), which has called the ongoing generalstrike, conveyed its decision to end the strike tonight. In 1991, Manipuri language was included in the 8thSchedule of the Constitution. Manipuri language was the first major Indian languageincluded in 8th Schedule of the Constitution from amongst theSino-Tibetan or Tibeto-Burman group of languages. The strike began from midnight last night and sincemorning, all vehicular traffic were stopped as all the inter-state, inter-district and buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws wereoff the road, the police said. Shutters were down in all business establishmentsincluding main business centres of Imphal city, KhwairambandWomen Markets. All educational institutions and entertainment houseswere also closed, the police said. Ratan, the former convenor of the Joint Committee onInner Line Permit System, was arrested from KeishampatLeimajam Leikai Community Hall in Imphal West district wherehe took part in a hunger strike with others. The police had in June declared Ratan ‘wanted’ andannounced a reward of Rs five lakh for anyone who couldprovide information leading to his arrest. Ratan was remanded for nine days in police custody bya district court yesterday. The strike was supposed to continue till midnighttomorrow. PTI CORR DKBCHT