Strike disrupts normal life
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 15: Because of the general strike called by the MPLF against alleged forced annexation of Manipur into Indian Union on October 15, 1949 since midnight yesterday till 5.30 pm today, normal life was severely affected in the State.

The MPLF has been observing October 15 as Black Day for the last many years.

Even though the general strike ended peacefully, many social organisations, local clubs and Meira Paibis protested the alleged forced merger by burning copies of the Merger Agreement at different places amidst tight security measures taken up by police and IRB.

Sit-In-Protest against the alleged Merger Agreement being staged by women folk on October 15

Due to the 17 hour general strike, normal life in Imphal, greater Imphal and other districts were thrown out of gear.

All commercial establishments of the capital city remained shut down and all the market places wore a deserted look.

Moreover, all the inter-district public transporters suspended their daily service.

Not only at Imphal, all the markets and shops in greater Imphal area and district headquarters remained shut up.

All the educational institutions also remained closed.

Attendance in Government offices were minimal.

Even as flight service was not affected, inter-State bus service was disrupted.

However, some inter-State passenger buses and goods laden trucks halted at Mao and Senapati before heading towards Imphal in late afternoon.

As in Imphal West and Imphal East, the general strike was equally effective in Thoubal, Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts.

In Senapati and some other hill districts, the general strike had little impact even though commuters to Imphal were seriously affected.

All the shops and commercial establishments remained open even though the crowds were reduced a little bit.

Notwithstanding strict instruction issued by the Chief Secretary to Heads of Departments against non-attendance of office in the name of the general strike, attendance in all the offices except the Secretariat were marginal.

Extending solidarity to the cause of the general strike, Meira Paibis and local club volunteers of Awang Sekmai burnt copies of the Merger Agreement at Sekmai Bazar.

Earlier they took out a protest rally from Koujengleima to Sekmai Bazar.

The protesters also shouted slogans like "We want freedom", "Merger Agreement is invalid" etc.

The symbolic burning of Merger Agreement copies was also reportedly witnessed at different parts of the State including Thangmeiband, Chingmeirong, Khabam, Sekmai, Singjamei, Kwakeithel, Nongmeibung, Kongpal, Sawombung, Lamlai Bazar, Nongada, Laphupat Tera, Nongmaimkhong, Thanga Lawai, Saiton, Ningthoukhong, Bishnupur Bazar, Andro, Heirok, Wabagai, Ngaikhong Siphai, etc amidst shouting slogans like 'We reject Annexation of 1949' etc.

Besides burning Merger Agreement copies, protest sittings and public meetings against the alleged forced merger were observed in different places.

Our Jiribam correspondent adds:The day long general strike by the Manipur People's Liberation Front (MPLF) against the alleged forced annexation of Manipur into Indian Union on October 14, 1949 has severely affected normal life in Jiribam, reports our Jiri correspondent.

Event though there is no report of any untoward incident during the general strike, all the shops remained closed and vehicles stayed off the roads in the sub-division.