IMPHAL: Normal life was severely disrupted across Manipur on Thursday as a 12-hour statewide shutdown called by the Coordination Committee (CorCom), an umbrella body of banned insurgent groups, brought daily activities to a standstill.

The shutdown was observed to mark the anniversary of Manipur’s merger with India in 1949, a day that several insurgent groups and organisations opposing the merger observe as a “Black Day”.

Markets remained closed, public transport stayed off the roads and educational institutions were affected across the state as the shutdown disrupted normal activities.

The protest was called by CorCom as part of its annual observance opposing Manipur’s merger with India. The shutdown affected movement and business activities in several areas, leaving the state largely paralysed during the 12-hour period.

The merger of Manipur with India in 1949 remains a politically sensitive issue, with differing views over its historical circumstances and legitimacy. While the Indian government considers the merger a formal part of the country’s integration, some groups in Manipur continue to oppose it and mark October 15 as a day of protest.