Imphal, Manipur, March 15 (HBTV): Normal life in Manipur has been affected due to twelve civil society organizations and with a students' body imposing a 48-hour general strike across the state with effect from Thursday midnight.   

The strike was called in demand for the unconditional release of three members of the Pambei-led United National Liberation Front (UNLF) faction, including its “chief of army.”  The UNLF is a militant group based in Manipur.             

Both Pao International Market and Thangal Bazar were shut. Three women’s markets, Ema markets, were also closed.          

There was no disturbance caused to examination centers. High school leaving certificate examinations began on Friday.            

Security forces along with a team of National Investigation Agency officials detained two leaders of the Pambei-led UNLF and a cadre on Wednesday morning at about 8:30 am from the Ningthemkol area of Imphal West.               

Later, they were flown to Delhi on the same day.                       

Th Manihar, a leader of one of the agitating organizations, said if the three arrested persons are not released unconditionally, there will be intensified agitations including boycott of the Lok Sabha elections or, even possibly, the examinations.