Normal life was affected in Manipur on Tuesday following a 24-hour general strike called by different groups from Monday midnight to protest the arrest of the general secretary of a social organisation.

Markets, shops and business establishments remained closed while transport services between Manipur and neighbouring states were also cancelled in view of the general strike, official reports said.

Attendance in government offices was reported below normal, reports said adding that all educational institutions also remained closed in response to the strike called by different civil society groups including All Manipur Students' Union and apex body United Committee Manipur.

Manipur Assembly session, however, continued as usual.

Reports said the strike also crippled normal life in interior districts, including hill areas, because of non-plying of district-bound passenger buses.

Organisers of the general strike also demanded immediate release of general secretary of United People's Front Premjit Singh who was arrested by Border Security Force and Assam Rifles personnel on May 7. Singh was later handed over to police.

While official sources said Singh was picked up for questioning, civil society groups claimed Singh was an innocent youth working for protection of human rights and added people would object to arbitrary arrest of youths in the state.