Imphal Observes 'Black Day' Shutdown Amid Tensions
Imphal's Shutdown on 'Black Day'
No public transport was seen operating, while inter-district transport remained suspended in Imphal, on Thursday. (AT Photo)
Imphal, Oct 15: On Thursday, a shutdown was observed in Imphal to commemorate October 15 as 'Black Day', leading to a significant halt in commercial activities across the city. Major markets were closed, and public transport was absent, with schools, colleges, and offices also shut down.
Key markets such as Lamlong Bazar, Kongba Bazar, Singjamei Bazar, and Kwakeithel Bazar were closed, along with all three Ima Keithels, which are traditional women-run markets in Imphal.
Prominent commercial areas, including Thangal Bazar, Paona Bazar, Masjid Road, Alu Gali, Dharamsala, MG Avenue, and BT Road, experienced a complete shutdown of business activities.
Public transport was completely absent, and inter-district travel was halted, limiting movement between districts. However, some private vehicles were still seen on the roads.
Despite the extensive shutdown, there were no major physical barriers obstructing movement. The primary impact was felt through the closure of businesses and institutions, resulting in a sparse presence of people in public spaces.
This shutdown was organized to observe 'Black Day' by groups opposing Manipur's integration with India in 1949. The Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) Apunba declared a 12-hour bandh from 6 am to 6 pm.
In a statement from its publicity secretary, Punsirol Meitei, KCP Apunba asserted that Manipur's sovereignty was compromised following the signing of the Merger Agreement on September 21, 1949, and the subsequent declaration of the merger on October 15 of that year.
The group called for public support for the shutdown as part of a movement aimed at restoring Manipur's sovereignty and advocating for the right to self-determination.
KCP Apunba exempted news media, water supply, fire services, medical emergencies, and activities related to religious and customary practices from the shutdown.
In a related incident, the severed head of a Naga man, who was killed in a gun attack in Kangpokpi district, was recovered on Wednesday, following a 48-hour ultimatum from the Joint Tribes Council Manipur (JTCM).
The head of Ajinbou Ringkamai was found in a remote area near the site of the October 10 attack at Makui Ashang village by a joint team of the Central Reserve Police Force and Manipur Police.
His torso had been discovered the following day and taken to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) mortuary in Imphal. The recovered head was also sent to the institute.
The JTCM had demanded the location of the severed head be revealed and that it be returned to the family for a proper burial.
A video purportedly showing the severed head surrounded by heavily armed men in camouflage went viral on Saturday, raising alarm over the murder and the status of the victim's remains.
Details regarding the post-mortem examination and the return of the remains to the family were not immediately available.
Ringkamai was among those who lost their lives during a wave of violence reported in the hill districts of Kamjong, Ukhrul, and Kangpokpi on October 9 and 10, amid escalating conflicts between Naga and Kuki armed groups.