Normal life across Manipur was disrupted today as a 12-hour shutdown called by several armed insurgent groups, including the Coordination Committee (CorCom), SOREPA, KCP and MNRF, paralysed commercial activities and public transport in observance of what the groups termed “National Black Day”.
The shutdown began at 5 am while some rebel group started from 6 pm. Shops, markets and business establishments remained closed in Imphal and other parts of the state, while public transport stayed largely off the roads. Major streets and commercial areas wore a deserted look as the shutdown affected daily activities.
Educational institutions and several private establishments also remained closed, disrupting normal academic and business operations. The impact was visible across major towns, where reduced vehicular movement and the closure of markets reflected the response to the shutdown call.
The shutdown was called by several armed groups, including CorCom, an umbrella organisation of multiple banned insurgent outfits, along with SOREPA, KCP and MNRF, among others. The groups designated October 15 as “National Black Day” in connection with their opposition to Manipur’s merger with India.
Essential services, including medical care, media activities and religious affairs, were exempted from the shutdown, according to the announcement issued by the organisers.
The closure affected traders, commuters, students and daily wage earners, with commercial transactions and routine movement remaining severely curtailed during the shutdown period.
The shutdown once again brought normal public activity across Manipur to a standstill, with its effects extending beyond the commercial centres to educational institutions and transport services.