Manipur hit by strike

The state capital, Imphal, has seen widespread violence this year

By Subir Bhaumik in Calcutta

A day-long general strike in India's north eastern state of Manipur has disrupted normal life across the state.

Manipuris have suffered great disruption

Schools, markets and business establishments are closed and traffic is thin on the roads.

The strike has been called by separatist rebel groups as a mark of protest to the state's merger with India this day 52 years ago.

The princely state of Manipur was merged with India on 15th October in 1949 but rebels say the union was without a popular mandate.

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The separatist groups, under the banner of Manipur Peoples Liberation Front, are observing the anniversary as a black day.

A spokesman for the front told the BBC that the Indian Government should conduct a referendum in the state to ascertain the wishes of the people.

He said the people of Manipur are in favour of independence from India.

Federal rule

The strike called by the rebels has disrupted life across the state.

Attendance is thin in government departments, restricted to only senior officers who reached offices under a heavy police escort.

The state is now under direct rule from Delhi after successive governments were toppled this year.

Violence and wide spread protests marked the state in June to protest a central government plan to widen a ceasefire with rebels in the neighbouring state of Nagaland.

The plan was later withdrawn.

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