Manipur remains on edge as violent clashes erupted between Kuki demonstrators and security forces in Kangpokpi district, resulting in one protester’s death and injuries to over 40 people, including women and police personnel. The unrest stemmed from opposition to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s directive allowing free movement across the state. Protesters, angered by what they call a crackdown, enforced an indefinite shutdown in Kuki-Zo areas, bringing daily life to a halt. Roads were blocked with burning tyres and boulders, forcing security forces to intervene and clear the obstructions. The situation, while tense, remained under control on Sunday, with additional security deployed along the NH-2 highway.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) condemned the security forces’ response, accusing them of using excessive force against demonstrators. According to Manipur Police, the protesters resorted to stone-pelting, catapults, and even gunfire, injuring 27 security personnel, including two critically. In retaliation, police fired tear gas and used minimal force to disperse the mobs. The protest was further fueled by a halted peace march by the Federation of Civil Society (FOCS), a Meitei organization, which was stopped by authorities at Sekmai due to a lack of official permission. The unrest is a continuation of long-standing ethnic tensions between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities, which have plagued Manipur since May 2023, leaving over 250 dead and thousands displaced.
With President’s Rule imposed in Manipur since February 13 following Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s resignation, tensions have only deepened. The central government had urged residents to surrender illegal weapons by March 6, but the ongoing violence indicates continued resistance. The shutdown in Kuki-Zo areas, supported by the ITLF and other tribal organizations, is expected to persist until their demands are met. Meanwhile, authorities have called for calm, emphasizing the need for dialogue and peaceful resolution to prevent further escalation.
