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IMPHAL: Life came to a grinding halt in Imphal on Monday due to a bandh called by the underground National Revolutionary Front, Manipur (NRFM) to denounce the signing of the controversial Manipur merger agreement with India on this day in 1949. The outfit said it was a highly litigious issue as the then Maharaja of Manipur, Bodhachandra Singh, was forced to sign the agreement under duress by the Indian government. Owing to the bandh, business establishments at Khwairamband Bazaar in Imphal city covering Paona Bazaar, Thangal Bazaar, BT Road, Allu Galli, Khoyathong, Nagamapal, Wahengbam Leikei and Keishampat were closed. Inter-state passenger buses and goods trucks were also off the roads. The bandh, however, did not affect regular flights. Besides Imphal, other valley districts of Bishnupur and Thoubal were also hit by the bandh. Police and paramilitary forces are maintaining a sharp vigil in the city. "New Delhi has ruined the indigenous people's identity during its 66 years of oppressive rule," said NRFM. On the other hand, the Coalition for Indigenous Rights Campaign (CIRCA) Manipur, a citizens' group, kicked off a month-long observance against the merger agreement in various parts of the state. The main function was held at Sana Konung (Royal Palace) here. Leaders of the civil body lamented that the present day crisis besetting the state is the result of 'forced annexation' of the erstwhile Manipur kingdom to the Indian Union. The indigenous flag was unfurled at haft mast in places of agitation in the valley districts where a large number of women staged a demonstration. A prolonged Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) stir to check migrant influx to the state, threat to Manipur's territorial integrity, Irom Sharmila's 15 year-campaign against AFSPA and the emergence of underground outfits are the results of the illegal merger, they alleged. At the Royal Palace, titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba said the observation was not against the Centre or the Indian Constitution. The points incorporated in the agreement have not been translated into action, CIRCA leaders said. They added that they would organize meetings at various places on the issue during the month-long observance.