Life comes to a standstill due to observance of black day

Imphal: Life was affected on Wednesday due to observance of ‘National Black day’ and imposition of general strike by the Coordinating Committee (Cor Com), an umbrella organisation of Manipur-based militant groups.
All inter and intra state passenger bus services were cancelled. Oil depots, business establishments, educational institutes were also closed down. Streets were deserted.
The strike, which began last midnight, would conclude at 1800 hours.
The Committee, formed by KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK(Pro), RPF and UNLF, said in a statement that the day is observed as ‘National Black day’ as ‘Manipur was annexed on October 15, 1949 after forcing the then Manipur King Buddhachandra sign the Merger Agreement under duress’.
Manipur State Constitution Act, 1947 was enacted after Manipur got Independence, elections held in June 1948 and a Council of Ministers formed on October 18, 1948, it added.
‘Democracy replaced monarchy. However, on September 21, 1949 the Manipur King was forced to sign ‘Manipur Merger Agreement’ and Manipur annexed on October 15, 1949,’ a Committee statement said.Manipur, which was an Asiatic power, was treated as a district by the government of India, it alleged. To oppose the ‘annexation’ the general strike has been imposed, it added. (UNI)