Normal life was paralysed in Manipur on Tuesday in the wake of a 12-hour northeast bandh called by the North East Students' Organisation to demand withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from the region.

Markets, shops, business establishments remained closed, reports said.

Attendance in government offices was almost nil in spite of the government's order that strict disciplinary action would be initiated against absentees, the reports said.

The All Manipur Students Union and Apunba Lup, the apex body of 32 organisations demanding the repeal of the Act, were supporting the bandh, which began from 0500 IST.

Transporters also cancelled their services in view of the bandh, reports said.

Paramilitary forces and police were deployed at all important points to prevent any untoward incident, officials said.