Imphal, October 15: Amidst the general strike called by MPLF today against the merger of Manipur with the Indian Union 57 years back, copies of the Merger Agreement were burnt in several places of Thoubal district with various protest demonstrations being staged all over the place.

Consequent upon the general strike called by MPLF, normal life in the State was severely affected.

With the suspension of all inter-district transport services, Khwairamband Bazar wore a deserted look.


Copies of the Merger Agreement being consigned to flames during the general strike called on Black Day

All business transactions in the State capital and elsewhere came to a standstill.

Moreover, inter-State bus service was also suspended even though air traffic remained unaffected.

Except for a few two wheelers, all vehicles stayed off the road and most of the market complexes in the valley districts remained closed for the day.

On the other hand heavy security deployment could be observed in and around Imphal.

However, there was no report of any untoward incident.

Security measures in the valley districts were water tight and security personnel kept on high alert at all the highways and major roads and public places.

Meanwhile demonstrating strong disapproval against the 'alleged forced merger' of Manipur with the Indian Union on October 15, 1949, local Meira Paibis burnt copies of the Merger Agreement at Kakching Bazar.

They also shouted slogans like, "We don't approve the Merger Agreement signed under duress".

Such demonstrations of burning the Merger Agreement copies were observed at Langmeidong, Wabagai Keithel Macha, Sekmaijin Bazar and Khongjom Bazar too.

MPLF, the umbrella organisation of PREPAK, RPF and UNLF has been observing October 15 as Black Day besides calling a general strike in the State for the past many years.

At Chingkhu, festoons embossed with strong words of disapproval against the merger of Manipur with the Indian Union were burnt along with the Merger Agreement copies.

Slogans like, "We are against merger of Manipur with India", "The Merger Agreement is invalid" etc etc were raised by numerous people at Lamlai while setting ablaze copies of the Merger Agreement.

Shouting similar slogans, many more copies of the same document were consigned to flames at Yairipok.

Protest demonstrations in the form of burning Merger Agreement copies and shouting slogans was also undertaken at Lamshang Bazar, Chingamakha and Uripok area.

Protest demonstrations in the form of burning merger agreement copies was also undertaken at Lamshang Bazar, Chingamakha and Uripok.

At many places protest slogans were also raised.

Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL) also joined the protest demonstration by burning copies of merger agreement documents.

Comment