The United People’s Revolutionary Front of Manipur (UPRFM) has imposed an 18-hour total shutdown on October 15 to observe the ‘National Black Day’ in Manipur.

The shutdown will remain in effect from October 15 midnight till 6pm as a sign of protest against the forced merger of Manipur into India in September 21, 1949 and the subsequent annexation on October 15, UPRFM stated in a release issued by information and publicity secretary L Rolin Meitei. Emergency services, religious activities and the media will be exempted from the purview of the shutdown, UPRFM stated.