Northeast Desk, 12th August: In a significant move, at least eight proscribed underground outfits in Manipur have declared a boycott of the Independence Day celebrations scheduled for August 15. The Coordination Committee (CorCom), which comprises six banned groups, has called for a total shutdown across the state from 1:00 AM to 6:30 PM.
The Socialist Revolutionary Party (SOREPA) has also joined the boycott, announcing a general strike from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the same day. Additionally, the Alliance for Socialist Unity Kangleipak (ASUK) has supported the shutdown, urging residents to hoist black flags and mark the day as a “black day.”
The groups have expressed strong discontent with the post-colonial integration of Manipur into the Indian Union, accusing it of ushering in a new form of Indian imperialism. They argue that the state’s integration has led to repressive policies and ongoing violence, which they believe have exacerbated regional turmoil.
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