Manipur joins Nationwide General Strike
Unions rail against Labour Codes, privatization and ethnic conflict
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 12 2026:
India ground to a halt today as 12 Central Trade Unions enforced a nationwide general strike protesting the Central Government's controversial new Labour Codes and the India-US interim trade deal.
In Manipur, the action drew massive participation, blending national labour demands with urgent local calls for peace amid ongoing ethnic strife between Meitei and Kuki communities.
Massive Rally in Imphal
The Coordinating Body of Trade Union of Manipur (CBOTUM) led a high-energy rally starting from Irawat Bhawan in Imphal, swelling with representatives from trade unions, farmer organisations, and scheme workers like Anganwadi and ASHA staff.
The procession marched toward the heart of the city but was stopped by police barricades at BT Park, compelling participants to return.
CBOTUM chairman L Sotinkumar addressed the crowd, declaring the merger of 29 labour laws into just four codes "unacceptable".
He warned it would slash worker protections by hiking daily hours from 8 to 12, legalizing child labour, and permitting night shifts for women.
Sotinkumar also blasted efforts to dismantle MGNREGA by renaming it and privatizing vital sectors including postal services, BSNL, banks, and airports.
Parallel protests erupted at the Imphal West DC Complex, where the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), alongside farmer groups, staged a.full-scale demonstration.
Their charter of demands included scrapping the four Labour Codes, safeguarding core worker rights, formally recognizing Anganwadi, ASHA, and Mid-Day Meal workers as Government employees, and initiating political dialogue to end Manipur's conflict.
They also pushed for rolling out the 8th Pay Commission in the State and extending the retirement age from 60 to 62 .
Widespread Solidarity from Government Employees & Sector Unions
The Manipur Government Services Federation (MGSF) threw its weight behind the strike, echoing pleas for labour code withdrawal, worker rights, and employee status for scheme workers.
As part of the protest, members of the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU), the Federation of Medical Representative India, and the Centre of Medical & Sales Representative Union submitted a three-point memorandum to the Prime Minister through the Imphal West Deputy Commissioner.
At Lamphelpat's Minor Irrigation Department office complex, the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) Manipur branch convened a protest meeting, supported by affiliates like the Minor Irrigation Department Employees Association, Manipur Electricity Department Employees Association, and Imphal Municipal Employees Union.
Slogans rent the air as demonstrators highlighted privatization threats to public services.
The All India State Government Employees Confederation (AISGEC) Manipur Unit also organised protests across Government offices and educational institutions, such as Johnstone Higher Secondary School.
Ibotonsana Girls' Higher Secondary School, Praja Higher Secondary School, Ram Lal Paul Higher Secondary School, NG College, and the Social Welfare Department.
State president M Joykumar, general secretary E Girani, and national executives Th Anita Devi and Kh Ranen spoke at the gatherings, fiercely opposing the labour codes' "hire and fire" culture and contract labour in Government jobs.
They demanded complete regularization of all positions.
Local demands wove through the national narrative: restoring peace via dialogue, 18% Dearness Relief, 8th Pay Commission implementation, retirement age increase to 62, and reviving the Old Pension System.
Strike Hailed as Resounding Success Amid Tense Times
Union leaders declared the strike a triumph, with organised and unorganised workers, shops, and establishments across Manipur ceasing operations in unison.
As the State navigates fresh ethnic clashes- like recent violence in Ukhrul- the protests underscore deepening frustrations over economic policies and unresolved conflicts.
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