Manipur Shutdown: Banned Groups Declare 'National Black Day' Over 1949 Merger

Seven banned armed groups in Manipur, largely representing the Meitei community, have called for a 12-hour statewide shutdown on October 15, observed as 'National Black Day,' to protest the state's 1949 merger with India. The groups allege that the merger agreement, signed between the Maharaja of Manipur and the Government of India, violated both international and domestic legal provisions, and they demand a re-examination of the historical integration.

The 1949 merger, formalized through the Manipur Merger Agreement, saw the erstwhile princely state accede to India shortly after independence. Critics argue that the agreement was signed under duress and without popular consent, a claim that has fueled decades of insurgency and identity-based conflicts in the region. The groups involved in the shutdown have not been officially named, but they are among the banned outfits operating in Manipur, and their call for 'National Black Day' underscores deep-seated grievances over the state's political status.

The shutdown is expected to disrupt normal life across Manipur, with markets, schools, and transport services likely to remain closed. While the state government has not issued a formal response, security forces are on high alert to prevent any untoward incidents. The protest highlights the persistent fault lines in Manipur's integration with India and could reignite debates over federalism and historical justice, drawing attention from human rights groups and international observers monitoring the region's stability.