Newmai News Network Imphal | October 15 Life was brought to a grinding halt in the valley districts of Manipur during the 18-hour general strike call given by umbrella organisation of Manipur based underground outfits CorCom (Coordination Committee) today to denounce the “forceful merger” of the erstwhile kingdom into the dominion of India back in 1949. The day, October 15, is observed as “Amamba Numit” (Black Day) every year by the proscribed CorCom, the umbrella body of six major active insurgent organisations. It alleged that India forcibly annexed the former kingdom on October 15, 1949 after a Merger Agreement that was signed under state of duress in Shillong. In protest, the outfit marks the day as a “Black day.” Vehicles stayed off the roads while all educational institutes, both government and private owned establishments, and banks remained shut during the strike. Business activities were halted as all major markets including Khwairamband Keithel in the heart of Imphal city were closed. Inter-state and inter-district passenger bus services were also suspended due to the bandh. According to reports received here, normal life in almost all the four district headquarters in the valley was hit by the strike call. The bandh, however, ended peacefully. No bandh-related incidents were reported. It started from October 14 midnight and continued till 6 pm today. CorCom has been launching an armed struggle against Government of India for decades to reclaim “sovereignty of Manipur.” It said the UN allows annexed nations to fight for self-determination through liberation movement. The group calls October 15 a Black Day for people of Manipur as it was merged with Indian Union by ceding its sovereignty on this day after Maharaja Bodhachandra was forced to give his royal signature in the Merger Agreement in Shillong on September 21, 1949 two years after the British left the princely state. The 1891 Anglo-Manipuri War marked the downfall of the erstwhile kingdom.
