Imphal: Normal life in Manipur was badly affected in Imphal valley of Manipur which comprises five districts on Saturday due to a 24-hour shutdown called by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) in protest against the killing of a village defence volunteer.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) called the 24-hour shutdown, which ended on Saturday evening, to protest the killing of a village defence volunteer, and the arrest of six others on December 14.
Police earlier said that village volunteer Laishram Prem was killed and six others were arrested after an encounter with the Manipur police commandos near Salungpham High School in Thoubal district.
Police claimed that the six persons they arrested and the slain were members of the banned outfit PREPAK who were allegedly involved in extortion activities.
However, police claims recovery of arms and ammunition, including those earlier looted from police armouries, were recovered from their possession, the official said.
In view of the shutdown, markets, including the usually bustling Paona and Thangal Keithel markets in Imphal, were deserted as shopkeepers closed their establishments.
Educational institutions, including schools and colleges, also remained shut, and most vehicles remained off the roads across the valley, comprising five districts.
Members of the ‘Meira Paibis’ (women vigilantes) took to the streets to enforce the shutdown.