Imphal: The 48-hour bandh called by a group of local clubs in Imphal West district demanding unconditional release of five people arrested on Saturday continued to paralyze life in the valley districts of the state on Wednesday, the last day of the stir.Along with sophisticated weapons, the five were arrested by the police in the Kongba area of Imphal East district. Additional secretary (home) M Pradeep said the five were impersonating police by wearing uniform of special commandos and that sophisticated arms looted from the police armories were also recovered from them. The protesters claimed that the five are village defence volunteers.Enforcing the bandh, a large number of women came out on the streets and foiled movement of vehicles, including that of security forces at various areas.Owing to the shutdown, business establishments at Khwairamband markets in Imphal city, covering Thangal Bazar, Paona Bazar, Khoyathong, Nagamapal, Wahenbam Leikai, Keishampat and BT Road were closed.Interstate and inter district passenger and good vehicles were off the roads and attendance in government offices was thin. The police and central security forces remained on high alert in strategic areas of the win capital districts of Imphal West and Imphal East to thwart any violent activities.The All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO), an apex body of several civil groups and clubs of the state, also extended its support. We also published the following articles recentlyNormal life affected in Imphal Valley as Meira Paibi, local clubs call for 48-hr bandhNormal life in Imphal Valley was disrupted as Meira Paibi, a group of Meitei women, and five local clubs called for a 48-hour bandh to demand the release of five youths who were arrested for carrying firearms and wearing camouflage uniforms. Markets and commercial establishments remained closed, and road blockades were staged in different districts. The arrested youths were village volunteers guarding against militant attacks. Protesters tried to storm a police station, resulting in minor injuries to some. The agitation will escalate if the government does not release the youths.Cocomi rejects AFSPA demand in Imphal valleyThe Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (Cocomi) has rejected the demand for re-imposing the AFSPA in Imphal valley, calling it absurd. Cocomi stated that areas where the AFSPA was lifted have enjoyed reasonable peace, while extortion and kidnappings have increased in Kuki-dominated hill areas. This comes after Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) and Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) demanded the imposition of AFSPA following the killing of three individuals. In contrast, Assams cabinet has recommended the complete withdrawal of AFSPA, citing improved security and development.Gates of dams in five districts openedSeveral dams in different districts of Madhya Pradesh have opened their gates to release excess water due to heavy rainfall. This includes the Gandhi Sagar dam in Mandsaur district, the Kalabhata dam on the Shivna river in Mandsaur district, the Fata dam in Alirajpur district, the Omkareshwar dam in Khandwa, the Gambhir dam in Ujjain, and the Yashwant Sagar and Indira Sagar dams in Indore. The increasing water levels have caused transportation problems and the need for monitoring in affected areas. In other news, the Malana-II hydroelectric project in Himachal Pradesh is facing issues with jammed flood gates, while heavy rainfall in Nashik district has brought water levels in dams to 80% capacity.

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