Imphal, Oct. 11 -- Seven proscribed insurgent groups have called for a statewide shutdown in Manipur on October 15 to mark what they describe as "National Black Day", protesting the state's merger with India in 1949.

The Coordination Committee (CorCom), an umbrella organisation comprising six banned underground outfits, has announced a 12-hour shutdown from 6 am to 6 pm on October 15. The coalition consists of the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), PREPAK-Pro, Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) and United National Liberation Front (UNLF).

Separately, the Socialist Revolutionary Party (SOREPA) has called for a parallel 12-hour strike from 5 am to 5 pm on ...