Kuki Inpi Manipur extended the shutdown in Kuki-Zo areas by 48 hours amid protests over recent killings and alleged abductions in Manipur.
Imphal, May 24: Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has extended the ongoing total shutdown across Kuki-Zo inhabited areas of Manipur by another 48 hours from midnight of May 23, citing the need to protect the “rights, dignity and future” of the Kuki-Zo community amid continuing unrest in the hill districts.
The decision comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions following recent killings, alleged abductions and renewed protests by Kuki-Zo civil society organisations demanding justice and intervention from the Centre.
In a statement issued on Saturday, KIM said the extension of the shutdown reflected growing public anger and frustration over what the organisation described as the continued suffering and insecurity faced by the Kuki-Zo people.
The apex Kuki body announced that educational institutions, commercial establishments and regular vehicular movement would remain suspended during the shutdown period, affecting normal life across several Kuki-Zo dominated regions of the state.
However, the organisation stated that essential services, including medical emergencies, pharmacies, media operations, water supply and electricity-related activities, would be exempted from the shutdown.
KIM urged the Government of India and relevant authorities to take immediate steps to restore peace and ensure justice, warning that prolonged inaction could further deepen distrust among the affected population and worsen the fragile situation in Manipur.
The shutdown extension comes at a time when civil society groups in Kuki-Zo areas have intensified protests over the killing of three church leaders in an ambush on May 13 and the alleged captivity of 14 Kuki-Zo civilians in Senapati district.
On Friday, hundreds of Kuki-Zo women staged a sit-in protest in Kangpokpi district under the banner of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), demanding justice for the slain church leaders and the immediate release of the alleged hostages.
The protest saw participation from women across different parts of Kangpokpi district, many carrying placards condemning the killings and criticising authorities over what they described as a failure to protect civilians amid the continuing ethnic conflict in the state.
Protesters described the three church leaders killed in the ambush as respected religious figures committed to humanitarian service and spiritual guidance. They alleged that the attack had deeply hurt the sentiments and collective identity of the Kuki-Zo community.
The demonstrators demanded that those responsible for the killings be identified and prosecuted without delay. They warned that failure to take action could further intensify feelings of alienation and injustice in the hill areas.
The women protesters also sought the “immediate and unconditional” release of 14 Kuki-Zo civilians who they alleged were being held hostage in Senapati district by the United Naga Council and the Senapati District Students’ Association.
Describing the alleged detention of civilians as a humanitarian concern, the protesters appealed to authorities and civil society organisations to ensure their safe return at the earliest.
The protestors further called on the Centre to address the political demands of the Kuki-Zo community through dialogue and a political settlement, stating that prolonged ethnic violence and displacement had pushed the community into a serious humanitarian crisis.
Manipur has remained deeply divided since ethnic violence broke out in May 2023 between Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups, leading to large-scale displacement, deaths and continuing tensions across both valley and hill districts.
The latest shutdown and protest actions indicate that public discontent remains high in Kuki-Zo areas as calls for justice, security and political resolution continue to intensify.
