On Republic Day, Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh urges militants to shun violence

IMPHAL: Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today appealed to the insurgent groups to shun violence for the development of the state.

Unfurling the tricolor on the occasion of Republic Day celebration at Kangla, the Chief Minister said," Violence will bring nothing good for the state and make people suffer."

Meanwhile normal life was today affected in Manipur because of "general strike" called by various insurgent organisations, who alleged "forcibly merger" with the Union of India in 1949.

Markets, shops, business establishment were closed all over the state, a report said, adding that transport services between Manipur and neighbouring state were also cancelled in view of the "general strike" called by major insurgents organisations, including United National Liberation Front (UNLF), Revolutionary Peoples Front and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL).