To protest the India merger a black day Manipur roads eye deserted

Imphal: Life in the conflict-hit valley districts of Manipur was badly affected on Sunday due to a rebel-sponsored total bandh to protest against “merger” of the erstwhile state of Manipur into the Indian Union.

In response to the strike call, shops, public transport, other business establishments, financial and educational institutions remained closed in Imphal and other valley districts, though hill districts were unaffected.
The streets of the capital were deserted, with almost all important markets like Paona Bazaar, Thangal Bazaar and Ima Keithel, Khwairamband Keithel closed.

Even in the outskirts of Imphal, almost all shops and other businesses, oil pumps and financial institutions remained shuttered during the strike.
The capital also saw a marked reduction in traffic volume as very few private vehicles and essential service vehicles were seen on the roads.
Similar situations were also reported from the district headquarters of the Valley. Inter-state and inter-district buses were kept off the roads due to fear of retaliation by the rebels if they violate the general strike.
The strike also affected the remote areas of the six valley districts of Thoubal, Kakching, Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur and Jiribam on a large scale where even small shops in the villages reportedly remained closed for the day.
Despite the presence of police and security forces at sensitive locations, no shop is ready to open, added reports received from various places.

According to reports from the district headquarters, the bandh had no impact in the hill districts where all other activities were normal except for non-arrival of inter-district service commercial vehicles.

No untoward incident was reported from anywhere during the strike. However, tight security measures were taken in Imphal and sensitive areas on the outskirts of the state capital.
Rebel groups in Manipur have been observing 15 October every year as “National Black Day” to protest against the former state’s integration into the Indian Union.

Rebel groups resorting to armed struggle to regain the sovereignty of Manipur declared a general strike on 15 October 1949 to protest against the annexation of the former country.
Among others, the Coordination Committee (CORCOM) comprising four armed rebel groups called for a general strike from midnight on 14 October to 5 pm on 15 October.

On the same day (October 15) in 1949, Manipur was declared a part. of the Indian Union after signing the ‘Agreement of Accession’ on 21 September of the same year.