India, Jan. 22 -- Seven underground outfits in Manipur on Friday called for an 18-hour total shutdown from 12:00 PM on January 25 to 6:00 PM on January 26, boycotting India's Republic Day and urging the public to refrain from participating in the celebrations.

The Coordination Committee (CorCom), an apex body of six banned insurgent groups in Manipur, appealed to the public to stay indoors and avoid activities that could mark the day.

In a statement issued by its Publicity Committee, CorCom described the Indian Republic Day as a "colonial reconsolidation day" for Manipur (Kangleipak).

The outlawed Socialist Revolutionary Party (SOREPA), Kangleipak, also announced a boycott of Republic Day celebrations in the state, calling for a total ...