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Market places in Imphal wore a deserted look after Maoist Communist Party, one of the insurgent outfits of Manipur, called a bandh in the state. Trade and commerce activities came to a standstill and not many vehicles were seen plying on the road during the 12 hour strike on March 31. At Ima market, only a few vendors opened their shops. The bandh resulted in huge losses to the state’s economy. But the worst affected were the daily wagers, whose livelihood depended on the daily trade and commerce activities in the region. “We are very much affected by these bandhs and shutdowns. We are daily wage earners and depend on daily trade for our livelihood, but bandhs and strikes force us to close. It should not happen,” said Memma Devi, a woman vendor from Ima Market. “Instead of doing strikes and calling shut downs, people those who have problems, they should talk to the government and solve their issues in a peaceful manner,” said Abujam Nongyai Singh, a rickshaw puller. Last year, the United Naga Council imposed a 120 day long economic blockade on Manipur that brought the state to a standstill. There was a significant shortage of essential commodities and people were forced to buy goods at higher prices.

Maoist Communist Party closure disrupts normal life in Imphal