The statewide total shutdown called by the Coordination Committee (CorCom), Alliance for Socialist Unity, Kangleipak (ASUK) and other insurgent groups to commemorate ‘National Black Day’ crippled normal life in the state on Friday.
The general strike and total shutdown was called by the proscribed organisations opposing the "forced" merger and annexation of Manipur into the India Union.
The strike brought normal life in Imphal to a standstill as businesses were closed and the streets wore a deserted look as vehicular movements were reduced in the capital city.
Although medical services were being exempted from the shutdown, most medical stores and drug stores were closed in Imphal areas, which affected customers and patients in need of medication.
For years, banned outfits in the state have been observing ‘National Black Day’ to protest Manipur’s Merger Agreement signed by Maharaja Bodhachandra of Manipur on September 21, 1949 and the subsequent annexation to the Indian Union on October 15, 1949.
