IMPHAL, April 26 -- A 24-hour general strike called in protest against the custodial death of a 27-year-old man brought Imphal city to a near-complete halt since midnight on Thursday. Khoisnam Sanajaoba, a resident of Khurai Ningthoujam Leikai in Imphal East, was arrested by Manipur police on March 31 and died in judicial custody on April 13, triggering public outrage and a bandh.
Police confirmed that Sanajaoba was arrested alongside four others and identified them as members of the proscribed underground outfit Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP-Noyon faction). They were allegedly involved in extortion and intimidation activities. Law enforcement officials recovered a 9mm pistol with three live rounds, a pistol holster, three mobile phones,...