Saturday, April 15 2006 13:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Imphal: Normal life in Manipur was affected today (Apr 15, 2006) following a 24-hour bandh called in protest against the state government's 'failure' to trace two drivers who went missing after entering Nagaland from Assam on January 24.

Markets, shops and business establishments remained closed in response to the bandh called today by The Joint Action Committee, formed after the disappearance of the drivers.

The bandh is also supported by some students' organisations, official sources said.

Attendance in government offices was also 'almost nil,' reports said. Vehicular traffic movement within the state as well as transport services between Manipur and neighbouring states were hit in view of the bandh which began from 5 PM, yesterday, the reports said.

Two truck drivers Salimuddin and Arif Shah - drove into Dimapur from Assam and registered their names at Dimapur Main Gate on January 24. However since then they remained missing, sources said.

The Joint Action Committee, formed after the disappearance of two drivers has called the bandh and already filed an FIR with the police. The committee urged the government to contact the Nagaland government to ensure the missing drivers were traced. The organisation also lamented that the government had so far failed to trace the missing duo.