Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 15 2009:
The statewide general strike called by the Manipur People's Liberation Front, MPLF, a joint body of outlawed underground groups in Manipur crippled life in the state
today.
The strike was called by the MPLF as a part of the observation of the "National Black Day" and lasted from 1 am till 5.30 pm.
No untoward incidents were reported during the strike hours.
The MPLF has been observing October 15, the day on which Manipur merged with the Indian Union as "National Black Day" every year since the last 10 years (from 1999) .
All the important streets of the state including those in Imphal city were empty as all kinds of vehicles were off the roads and market places remained closed.
Schools, colleges and other private institutions also remained closed for the day.
Attendance in government offices also sparse, as very few government employees attended office, reports said.
In Churachandpur also, the general strike paralyzed life as most of the shops and other business establishments remained closed and movement of all kinds of vehicle sparse.
The general strike also affected border trade in Moreh of Chandel district.
No inter-state and inter-district passenger buses arrived in the state capital for the day.
All kinds of passenger services also stay off the road.
Except some light four-wheeler and two-wheeler, mostly related with essential service matters, were seen on the roads in Imphal streets.
Copies of the Merger Agreement signed by Government of India and Maharaja Bodhchandra in 1949 at Shillong were burned down today at several in places in the state as a part of observation of National Black Day.
Our Bishnupur correspondent reports: Copies of Merger Agreement were burned down at several places in Bishnupur district today.
Protestors shouted slogans like 'annul the Merger Agreement,' 'we want independent,' 'we reject Indian Constitution,' etc.