Merger shutdown throws life out of gear but Imphal wakes up to new night life

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 15

Normal life was affected in the state today on account of the 18-hour state wide shutdown called by many outlawed armed groups under the CorCoM and separately by KYKL, NLFT and KCP. The shutdown was part of the observation of the “National Black Day”, commemorating the controversial merger of Manipur with India which came into force on October 15, 1947.

Security personnel were heavily deployed at different areas of the valley in anticipation of trouble, however there were no reports of untoward incidents from anywhere. Unlike any other bandh or strike, this time no supporters or protestors were seen on the road although the roads remained largely empty.

Business establishments, educational institutes, petrol pumps, shops and markets remained closed. However hospitals and medical stores remained opened. Some shops started to open late in the afternoon. Inter-district transport services were also affected by the shutdown.

The otherwise busy market places like Paona Keithel, Thangal Keithel, Nagamapal, BT road and Wahengbam Leikai areas wore a deserted look as shop shutters were down and only few pedestrians were seen on the road.

This is in spite of the seasonal rush of shoppers this time of the year generally witness on account of approaching festivals like Ningol Chakouba and Diwali.

A few private vehicles were seen moving in the day time and later in the afternoon. Some passenger auto rickshaw were seen plying on the roads.

Though there was no holiday in the government offices, there were little or no sign of government employees attending their offices.

Interestingly, as soon as evening came, people began thronging the recently launched weekend event nigh plaza, also known as ‘Imphal Evening’. In no time, visitors along the stretch along the Kanglapat road teemed with life, and business went on as usual. 

It may be recalled, Manipur King, Bodhachandra, during a routine visit to Shillong was kept captive there at Redlands, the Manipur royal’s residence in Shillong, by Indian forces and forced him to sign the infamous Merger Agreement on September 21, 1949.

The signed agreement came into force on October 15 the same year and today’s shutdown was in protest of this.