Manipur: Normal life affected in Kuki-dominated Churachandpur after Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum enforces shutdown, roads blocked and...
Life came to a stop in Manipur's Churachandpur district on Friday after a tribal group called for an indefinite shutdown. The protest was held after an elderly Kuki woman was killed during a gunfight. Shops and markets stayed closed, and there were very few vehicles on the roads. Members of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), including many women, were seen blocking roads with sticks in their hands, demanding justice for the woman.
The woman, named Hoikholhing Haokip, died in a crossfire between security forces and some unknown armed men on Thursday evening. The incident took place in the Langchingmanbi and Heichanglok areas, where the security forces had gone for a search operation.
The armed men fired at the security team, and a gun battle followed. Sadly, Haokip was caught in the firing and lost her life.
Due to the shutdown, government offices had low attendance, and schools and colleges were shut.
The ITLF blamed the central government for not doing enough to protect tribal people and their land. They demanded a proper and fair investigation into repeated violations of buffer zones areas meant to separate communities during this ongoing conflict.
At the same time, a 24-hour shutdown also began in Kangpokpi district from 1 PM on Friday. The protest was supported by the Committee on Tribal Unity and other local groups from Churachandpur.
Since May 2023, over 260 people have died, and thousands have become homeless due to ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
On February 13, the central government imposed President's rule in Manipur after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh stepped down. The state assembly has been placed under suspended animation, even though its term was supposed to last until 2027.
(With PTI inputs)
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