Imphal, 31 March 2018 ( Evening News ) : The 42 hour General Strike called by Manipur Muslim Welfare Organisation commenced from the mid-night of March 30. The General strike affected most of the Muslim inhabited areas in the State. Supporters of the Strike clashed with Police in different parts of the State , Police fired tear gas shells and mock bombs to disperse the protesters. Manipur Muslim Welfare Organisation called the general strike from midnight of March 30 till 6pm of April 1 demanding establishment of a separate directorate for the Minorities, issue of white paper of the enquiry report of schemes under MOBC Department from 2010 to 2017, and  in charge that the MOBC has violated rights to PDS items of the minorities. The General Strike Supporters at Hatta Minuthong, Khsetrigao and Keirao Makting stopped the vehicles and the commuters plying on the roads. Clash broke out between the supporters and the police force at Keirao Makting. The Supporters pelted stones at the Police. The police deployed more forces to control the situation , failing which they resorted to firing tear gas shells and mock bombs to disperse the protestors. There has been no report of casualty so far.  The general strike is being imposed at Lilong Bazar,Thoubal Moijing Mina Bazar,Mayang Imphal Bengoon and,Yairipok.

On the other hand, supporters of the general strike called by Manipur Muslim Welfare Organisation destroyed a school van bearing registration number MN01X2383 carrying students. Stones were pelted at the Van with young students still inside the van causing much panic. The unfortunate  incident occurred around  6.30 early this morning at Hatta Minuthong. The vehicle was carrying students of pre Nursery to class 5 studying at Brighter Academy in New Checkon. The Van Driver Soubam Superman told media persons that around 20 to 30 general strike supporters attacked the vehicle near Hatta Minuthong. He said the protestors paid no heed despite telling them that the vehicle was ferrying school children.  All Manipur School Student’s Transporter Association has condemned the incident as unfortunate and urged the supporters of the General strike to make it very clear if there is any restrictions on vehicles carrying school students. General Secretary of the Association, Jimmy Tongbram strongly condemned such misconducts of terrifying the young children in the name of a general strike.