Imphal, May 20 -- Chemist and druggist shops across Imphal remained closed on Wednesday following the nationwide strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists.

In Manipur, the protest was spearheaded by the Manipur Chemists & Druggists Association in support of key demands, including a ban on online sale of medicines, stopping deep discounts by corporate pharmacy platforms, and preventing the circulation of spurious drugs.

The 24-hour shutdown affected both wholesale and retail medicine shops across all 16 districts of Manipur. Protesters displayed placards demanding the withdrawal of GSR 817 (E), dated August 28, 2018, related to online medicine sales, and GSR 220, dated March 26, 2020, concerning regulations they...