Imphal: A 12-hour shutdown paralyzed Manipur on Thursday, October 15. The Coordination Committee, an umbrella group of banned insurgents, forced businesses and schools to close their doors. The protest began at 6 am and runs until 6 pm.
Streets in Imphal and other major towns sat empty. Public transport vanished. Shops and markets stayed shuttered throughout the state. CorCom observes this date as National Black Day every year.
The group claims the 1949 merger with India stripped Manipur of its sovereignty and political rights. They assert the agreement violated international law and ignored the state's status at the time. CorCom labeled the deal a forced act. The outfit stated, "the agreement as the outcome of coercion rather than a voluntary political decision."
The group alleges Indian forces took Maharaja Bodhachandra to Shillong on September 21, 1949. They claim he signed the Merger Agreement under duress at his residence, Redlands. Essential services like medical care, media work, and religious events remained exempt from the strike.
Comments