ASUK declares Oct 15 as “Black Day”, calls for total shutdown

The Alliance for Socialist Unity, Kangleipak (ASUK) has declared October 15 as “Black Day” in Manipur, marking the forced merger of the state into India in 1949. In a statement (Ref. No.: 02/15-Oct/ASUK/2025), the group called for a total shutdown across Manipur from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., urging citizens to halt all public and private work in remembrance of those who resisted annexation.
ASUK said the annexation was never accepted by the people of Manipur, and those who opposed it faced humiliation, imprisonment, or displacement. The organization claimed that even after the merger, political decisions affecting Manipur were controlled from Delhi, sidelining local leaders and citizens.
“The people’s struggle and resistance against annexation are remembered on this day,” the statement read. “October 15 is a day to honor the sacrifices of past generations, assert our identity, and preserve the sovereignty of Manipur.”
Drawing inspiration from the history of the Jewish people, who maintained their heritage despite centuries of exile and persecution, ASUK urged the citizens of Manipur to remain steadfast in remembering their past. The statement cited historical struggles led by figures such as Loiyumba Sinyen, Herachandra, Gambhir Singh, Nar Singh, Irabot, and Naoriya Phullo, as well as the women-led Nupi Lal movements, as central to Manipur’s identity and resistance.
ASUK emphasized that preserving this history is essential for the survival and future of the people of Manipur. “To forget our past is to lose our future,” the statement said.
The group warned of ongoing threats from “enemies, opportunists, traitors, and infiltrators” aiming to weaken the movement and called for united resistance to protect Manipur’s sovereignty and heritage.