Manipur Faces Disruption as Bandh Protests Historical Merger Agreement

On September 21, a 24-hour bandh called by the National Revolutionary Front Manipur (NRFM) disrupted normal life across Manipur's valley districts. The protest marked the anniversary of the 1949 Merger Agreement, with the NRFM highlighting unresolved historical and political issues surrounding Manipur's integration into India. Public transport was largely absent, and the organization urged locals to reconsider the significance of statehood celebrations. The bandh follows recent arrests of alleged NRFM members linked to violence against security forces, raising concerns about ongoing tensions in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 21, 2026, 13:09 IST

Disruption in Manipur Due to Bandh

Empty streets in Manipur valley districts after a 24-hour bandh called by a proscribed outfit on Monday (Photo: AT)

Imphal, Sept 21: A 24-hour bandh initiated by the National Revolutionary Front Manipur (NRFM) significantly disrupted daily life across the valley districts of Manipur on Monday. This shutdown was in protest against the 1949 Manipur Merger Agreement, leading to the closure of schools, colleges, markets, and offices.

As of 11:40 AM, public transportation was largely absent, although some private vehicles were seen in key areas of Imphal.

This bandh coincided with the 77th anniversary of the signing of the Manipur Merger Agreement on September 21, 1949.

The NRFM stated that the bandh aimed to highlight unresolved historical, constitutional, and political issues related to Manipur's merger with India.

Furthermore, the organization dismissed the significance of January 21, 1972, the date when Manipur achieved full statehood, as a representation of the state's creation.

“The NRFM urges the indigenous people of Manipur to critically assess the political implications of the annual India Statehood Day celebrations and to refrain from events that depict Manipur as a newly formed state on January 21, 1972,” the organization expressed in a statement.

Daily life hit with no public transport seen during the bandh on Monday (Photo: AT)

The NRFM contended that Manipur had a functioning political and constitutional framework prior to the merger, referencing the Manipur State Constitution Act of 1947 and the existing elected institutions.

It also raised concerns regarding the conditions under which Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh signed the Merger Agreement, asserting that it lacked ratification by the elected Manipur Legislative Assembly.

The organization referred to the National Convention on the Manipur Merger Issue held in Imphal in October 1993, which questioned the legality and constitutional validity of the agreement.

Additionally, the NRFM invoked the United Nations Charter's provisions on self-determination, political independence, and decolonization, advocating for a reassessment of Manipur's political status under international law.

They also called for efforts to classify Manipur as a Non-Self-Governing Territory (NSGT) within the UN framework, despite acknowledging that it is not currently listed as such.

This bandh follows the recent arrest of two alleged active members of the NRFM, who were taken into custody in connection with an attack on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in Imphal West on September 16.

The NRFM, previously known as the United Revolutionary Front, was established on September 11, 2011, by members from three factions of the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), a Meitei underground group. Security agencies report that its senior leaders operate from bases in a neighboring country and have been involved in violent activities and extortion across various regions of the Manipur Valley.