Newmai News Network
Imphal | October 15
Life in the valley districts of Manipur was disrupted on Friday owing to total shutdown, protesting the merger of the erstwhile kingdom of Manipur with Indian union.
Shops, public transport, other business establishments, financial and educational institutions remained closed in Imphal and other district headquarters of the valley.
However, some private vehicles were seen on the roads where all the important market places like Paona Bazar, Thangal Bazar and Ima Keithel, Khwairamband Keithel wore a deserted look.
A sharp reduction in traffic volume was also witnessed in Imphal. Government offices functioned with very thin attendance.
Similar situation was reported from district headquarters in the valley.
Inter-state and inter-district buses remained off the roads fearing backlash from the rebels if they defy the general strike.
However, the shutdown has little impact in the hill districts where all other activities were normal, according to reports culled from the district headquarters.
No untoward incident was reported from anywhere during the shutdown. However, a tight security measure was taken in Imphal and other sensitive areas in the outskirts of the state capital.
Armed police teams were detailed at various places in the Imphal area, particularly in the outskirts of the city, as a part of security measures to check any untoward incidents related to the shutdown.
The total shutdowns ended peacefully at 6:00 pm.
Rebels in Manipur have been observing October 15 every year as ‘National Back Day’ in the last around three decades.
It was on this day (October 15) in 1949 that Manipur was declared merged to the Indian union after signing the ‘Merger Agreement' on September 21 of the same year.
One of the total shutdown calls was from the CorCom, a conglomerate of five major rebel groups, which commenced from today morning at 6 am and concluded this evening at 6:00 pm.
While giving the total shutdown, a statement dispatched by CorCom to the media houses had urged the people to stay home and to suspend services of all kinds of vehicles.
Other groups including the newly formed Socialist Revolutionary Party (SOREPA) also gave the total shutdown call to protest against the merger of Manipur to the Indian Union.
