Imphal: Normal life came to a grinding halt in Manipur today (Aug 17, 2004) following an indefinite bandh after the death of a student leader who had attempted self-immolation to press for withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the entire State, official sources said.

Markets, shops and business establishments remained closed and bus services were suspended in response to the bandh. Attendance in Government offices was almost nil, official reports said.

Imphal and Greater Imphal areas wore a deserted look with people preferring to remain indoors in response to the bandh.

The 32 organisations, which had called the bandh, said the bandh would end only after the cremation of 28-year old Pebam Chitaranjan who died yesterday (Aug 16, 2004) after receiving 90 percent burns while trying to set himself ablaze on Sunday (Aug 15, 2004) last.

The sources told that the body of Chittaranjan was likely to be cremated today evening.

Official sources said para-military forces and Rapid Action force personnel were deployed at all important places including Palace Gate, Sanjenthong, Khwairamband complex, Wangkhei, Khurai, Yaiskul, Singjamei, Tera and Kwakeithel in view of the bandh.

So far 50 persons, including senior leaders of the 32 organisations, have been arrested in the past few days, the sources said.

The police were conducting raids at the offices of the organisations and trying to arrest some of the important leaders of the organisations who have gone underground, the sources said.