Imphal: The banned underground group Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP)-Apunba has called for a 24-hour total shutdown across Manipur on August 15, beginning at midnight on August 14, to boycott the observance of India’s Independence Day.
In a statement, the outfit said essential medical emergencies and religious ceremonies would be exempt from the shutdown.
The group linked the proposed shutdown to Patriots’ Day, observed in Manipur on August 13 to commemorate those who fought against British forces during the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891. It appealed to people to visit memorials and pay tribute to those who lost their lives during the conflict.
The KCP-Apunba also referred to Manipur’s political history, claiming that the state regained self-rule on August 14, 1947, before merging with India on September 21, 1949. The outfit alleged that the merger was followed by continued repression and human rights violations by the central government.
Referring to the ethnic violence that began in Manipur in May 2023, the group further alleged that the Centre had used what it described as “narco-terrorist” elements to fuel conflict between indigenous communities.
The outfit called on native communities to remain united and work collectively to protect what it described as Manipur’s future and sovereignty.