Imphal, Aug. 12 -- The Coordination Committee (CorCom), an apex coalition of six banned underground organisations in Manipur, has announced a total general strike and boycott of India's Independence Day on August 15.

The shutdown will remain in effect from 1 am to 6:30 pm, bringing normal life, public transport and commercial establishments across the state to a halt during the stipulated hours.

In a formal statement issued to media houses, the conglomerate said essential services, including medical emergencies, electricity, water supply, fire services, the press and religious ceremonies, would be exempted from the general strike.CorCom, comprising the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), People's Revolution...