The 18 hour general strike imposed by the Coordination Committee, CorCom, a conglomeration of six valley-based insurgent outfits, KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), RPF and UNLF, as part of its National Black Day observance to commemorate the “annexation” of Manipur by the Indian Government has severely affected normal life in the State today.
The 18 hour general strike was commenced effectively from the midnight of October 14 and is being continued until 6 pm of today (October 15).
Almost all the business places in Imphal area including Paona Keithel, Khwairamband Ima Keithel, Thangal Keithel remain closed.
Educational institutions remained closed and Government offices witness thin attendance.
Both inter-district and inter-State passenger services remained off the roads.
Almost all roads in the state were seen deserted.
Daily wage earners were also hugely affected.
So far, no unwanted incidents were reported during the general strike.
It may be mentioned that Manipur was merged to the Indian Union on October 15 of 1949, after the then King of Manipur, Maharaja Bodhachandra signed the controversial Merger Agreement on September 21, 1949 at Shillong.
Medical emergencies, religious rituals and the media were exempted from the purview of today’s general strike.
