Manipur witnessed widespread participation in the Nationwide General Strike on Tuesday, as various trade unions, bank employees, and government workers took to the streets in solidarity with a national call issued by the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and Independent Federations.

In the state capital Imphal, protesters gathered at MG Avenue holding placards and banners, raising strong slogans in support of a broad charter of socio-economic and labour-related demands. The demonstration, marked by peaceful yet determined voices, highlighted key concerns including the restoration of peace in conflict-affected Manipur, the need for uninterrupted highway movement, and relief from soaring prices of essential commodities and medicines.

Demonstrators demanded the declaration of ₹26,910 as the national minimum wage and ₹9,000 as the minimum monthly pension. Other major demands included the regularisation of casual and contractual workers, withdrawal of the New Pension Scheme (NPS), and restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Protesters also called for the repeal of recently enacted labour codes and anti-farmer laws.

A parallel protest was held in Jiribam, where members of the Manipur Government Services Federation (MGSF), government employees, and civil organisations assembled in front of Jiribam Higher Secondary School. Addressing the gathering, MGSF Jiribam Advisor Ch. Direndra Singh said the protest was not only in alignment with national issues but also reflected growing concerns over deteriorating working conditions in the state. He stressed the urgency of restoring law and order and ensuring safe passage for civilians on highways affected by prolonged unrest.

The comprehensive charter of demands also included the removal of GST on essential items such as agro-inputs, medicines, and farming machinery; generation of employment; enhancement of MGNREGA workdays to 200 days annually with a daily wage of ₹600; enactment of an Urban Employment Guarantee Act; strengthening of public sector banks and insurance firms; and repeal of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019, the Post Office Act 2023, and the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2022.

The nationwide strike is being supported by major central trade unions and federations including AITUC, CITU, INTUC, TUCC, UTUC, HMS, AIUTUC, and AICCTU.

The day-long protest concluded peacefully across Manipur, with demonstrators urging the government to respond to their demands through urgent policy interventions and legislative reforms. Protesters in both Imphal and Jiribam voiced hope that the unified national action would bring tangible improvements to the lives of workers and safeguard their rights across all sectors.