IMPHAL — A 24-hour total shutdown imposed by 13 civil society organisations in Manipur to protest the government’s alleged inability to contain the escalating violence in the state since Saturday (November 9) crippled normal life in the state on Wednesday. The protesting organisations further demanded the government’s immediate action. The shutdown, which ended at 6 pm on Wednesday, disturbed vehicular movement in the state, particularly in Imphal. All shops across major markets in the state—including the iconic Nupi Keithel (women’s market) in the heart of Imphal town and other periphery markets such as Singjamei, Lamlong, Kwakeithel, and Tera—remained closed due to the shutdown. Functioning of state, central and private offices and business establishments was also affected during the shutdown, while all the educational institutions also remained closed. The shutdown caused not only Imphal to come to a standstill but also other areas of the state, as passenger vehicles were forced to stay off the roads. At around 3.30 pm in Imphal, representatives of the 13 organisations submitted a memorandum to the Manipur governor through the under secretary as the governor was out of station. In the memorandum, the organisations demanded immediate actions from the government to address the current crisis...