Manipur armed groups call shutdown over 1949 merger with India

Seven banned armed organisations, predominantly Meitei-based, have called for a complete shutdown across Manipur on October 15 to commemorate what they describe as 'National Black Day.' The groups have used the occasion to reiterate their longstanding grievances regarding the state's accession to India in 1949.

According to the organisations' statement, the merger of Manipur with the Indian Union violated established international law and domestic constitutional provisions. The groups contend that the integration was carried out without proper adherence to legal protocols, a claim that has remained central to separatist narratives in the northeastern state for decades.

The 12-hour shutdown call reflects ongoing tensions within Manipur, where questions about the circumstances and legality of the state's accession continue to fuel political and armed group activism. The October 15 observance has become an annual marker for such protests.

Manipur has experienced sporadic violence and civil unrest linked to these secessionist movements, though the intensity and nature of such activities have fluctuated over the years. The announcement of the shutdown represents a continuation of efforts by banned groups to mobilise public sentiment around the merger question.