At least eight proscribed underground outfits in Manipur have declared a boycott of Independence Day celebrations on August 15, calling for a complete shutdown across the state. The announcement has been made by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur (CorCom), an apex body of six banned groups.
In a press release, CorCom urged the people of Manipur to abstain from participating in the Independence Day events, announcing a total shutdown from 1:00 AM to 6:30 PM on August 15. Similarly, the Socialist Revolutionary Party (SOREPA) has called for a general strike from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM, while the Alliance for Socialist Unity Kangleipak (ASUK) has urged a total shutdown and the hoisting of black flags to mark the day as a “black day.”
The groups have criticized the legacy of British colonial rule, alleging that the post-1947 integration of Manipur into the Indian Union has ushered in a new form of imperialism. They claim that Manipur continues to suffer under repressive policies, contributing to the ongoing violence and turmoil in the region.
