Banned Group Halts Manipur Capital for 24 Hours Over 1949 Merger

A banned outfit announced a 24‑hour shutdown in Imphal, the capital of Manipur, to protest a 1949 merger that it claims was imposed without local consent. The protest began early in the morning and involved road blockages and the closure of key commercial areas. Local businesses reported significant losses as shoppers and commuters were forced to find alternate routes. Police deployed additional security personnel and announced that they would monitor the situation closely to prevent any escalation.