Imphal, Oct. 15 -- A 12-hour shutdown called by eight banned militant groups disrupted normal life across Manipur on Thursday, bringing commercial activities, public transport and educational institutions to a standstill in protest against the state's merger with the Indian Union in 1949.

According to police reports, markets and business establishments remained closed, while public transport stayed off the roads as sections of the population observed the shutdown as a "National Black Day". Government offices recorded sparse attendance, and educational institutions remained shut throughout the day.

Officials said the shutdown passed peacefully, with no untoward incidents reported. Security personnel were deployed in key locations to main...