Strike affects life in Manipur

Imphal, Oct 15 (UNI) A strike imposed today by the Manipur People's Liberation Front (MPLF), an umbrella organisation of armed outfits in the state, disrupted life here.

MPLF sources said they would observe the day as ''National Black Day'' to protest the merger of Manipur on October 15, 1949.

The MPLF alleged that a Merger Agreement was signed on September 21, 1949 and enforced on October 15, 1949 through coercive means.

All buses and private vehicles remained off the road.

All educational institutions and business establishments also remained closed.

Attendance in government offices was low.

Massive security arrangements had been made and no untoward incident was reported so far, police said.

Flight services functioned normally.

The MPLF had exempted the media, medical, fire, emergency services and all religious and social functions from the purview of the strike.

The people were asked to switch off all lights for ten minutes at 1900 hours as a mark of protest, MPLF sources added.

UNI