IMPHAL: In the face of the 'conclusive stage' of the Naga peace process, a large number of people, mostly womenfolk, on Thursday staged demonstrations across the valley districts demanding to safeguard Manipur 's integrity and unity. The demonstrators also protested against any move of the Centre to extend Article 371 (A) or any similar law in Manipur.Showing solidarity with the demonstrators, business establishments also kept their shutters downed in the capital as well as other districts. Auto rickshaw owners and drivers, also lending support to the protests, staged a sit-in demonstration near RIMS hospital.The parliamentary standing committee on home affairs recently hinted that a special status under Article 371 (A), which is only given in Nagaland , may be extended to Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.Meanwhile, opposition leader and former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Thrusday blamed the N Biren Singh government for postponing the special assembly session scheduled on Thursday for discussing the major issues gripping the state, including the Naga framework agreement. "Would the state government convene the assembly session after a bill to break Manipur is passed in the Parliament?" Ibobi said at a media conference held at Congress Bhawan."If such bill to give autonomy status to the Nagas as a result of the framework agreement is passed in the Parliament then the state government cannot interfere unless the matter is again put up for amendments in the House. The BJP government should urge the Centre to disclose the contents of the framework agreement instead of keeping mum on the plea that the Centre has assured that there is nothing against Manipur in it," Ibobi said.

Stay updated with all the Latest Imphal headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.