IMPHAL: Normal activities in Imphal came to a grinding halt on Wednesday owing to a general strike called by three leading civil bodies in protest against the Centre's alleged bid to break up Manipur 's territory as a result of the Naga framework agreement.United Committee Manipur (UCM), All Manipur United Clubs' Oragnisation (AMUCO) and Coalition of Civil Societies', Kangleipak (CCSK) joined hands to call the bandh, blaming the Centre of attempting to implement Article 371(A) in Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh . The three bodies were united in their demand that the territorial unity and integrity of Manipur should not be sacrificed.The strike comes after RN Ravi, the Centre's interlocutor for the Naga peace talks, recently told the parliamentary standing committee on home affairs that the Naga framework agreement was signed after the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) agreed to negotiate on being given a special status within India under Article 371 (A) of the Constitution.UCM president Sunil Karam said any effort to implement Article 371(A) beyond Nagaland would be an unambiguous step in the direction of creating a Greater Nagaland. He added that the people of Manipur will not rest until the Centre and NSCN (IM) clearly state their opinion on the matter. AMUCO president Ph Deban Sharma said the Centre, ever since it began the Naga Peace talks with the NSCN(IM), has been repeatedly threatening to compromise Manipur's territorial integrity. He added that the most recent example of such a threat was the report the special status under Article 371(A) of the Constitution, which is only in effect in Nagaland, may be extended to Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.Owing to the strike, business establishments in Thangal Bazaar, Paona Bazaar, Majzid Road, Bir Tikendrajit Road, Nagamapal, Khoyathong, Wahengbam Leikai and Keishampat in Imphal city were all closed on Wednesday. Movement of interstate and interdistrict passenger and goods vehicles were stopped, attendance in government offices was thin and educational institutions remained closed throughout the day. However, flight services were not affected due to the strike.Supporters of the strike burnt tyres and installed makeshift barricades at various locations of the capital to block traffic. Some of them held placards reading "Indo-Naga Framework Agreement should not break up Manpur" and "Long Live Manipur". Police and paramilitary forces remained on high alert at all strategic areas of the capital. No incident of violence took place till the time of filing this report.The bandh also affected other valley districts of Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching, with locals groups taking to the streets to shop vehicular movement.

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