Saturday, January 7 2006 12:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Imphal: Normal life was paralysed in Manipur today (Jan 07, 2006) following a 24-hour general strike called by some students' organisations from midnight last in protest against the killing of a senior police official and his escort commander earlier this week by insurgents.

Inspector General of Police (intelligence) T Thangthuam and his escort commander Khamkha Jam were killed on Monday last by insurgents.

Official sources said markets, shops, business establishments remained closed while all private vehicles stayed off the roads in response to the strike called by Paite students' association, Kuki students' organisation and Vaiphei students' organisation.

Attendence in government offices was 'much below normal', the sources said adding that all transport services between Manipur and neighbouring states, and between state capital Imphal and district headquarters were also cancelled.

Reports from districts said the general strike severely affected normal life in all interior hill districts and it was reported 'total' in Churachandpur district from where Thangthuam, a 1979 Manipur-Tripura cadre IPS officer, hailed.

Security and police forces were deployed at various strategic points. No untoward incident was reported so far from any part of the state, official sources said.

Sources who toured various parts of the Imphal valley saw most of the places wearing a deserted look.

Thangthuam and Khamkha Jam were killed in an ambush by People's Liberation Army, armed wing of banned revolutionary People's Front on Monday last at Oinam in Bishenpur district.