Manipur: Women Protesters Block NH-2, 'Infinite Shutdown' in Kuki Areas Day After Violent Clashes
New Delhi: Protests broke out in Manipur with scores of women blocking the National Highway-2 in Kangpokpi district on Sunday (March 9), a day after the area witnessed violent clashes between security forces and the Kuki-Zo people, The Hindu reported. The clashes left one person dead.
The developments came close on the heels of the second leg of the Budget session in Parliament, which began on Monday, March 10.
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to also present the Manipur budget as the state Assembly was put under suspended animation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is also scheduled to table the resolution for proclamation of President’s Rule in Manipur.
An "indefinite shutdown" was observed in all Kuki-dominated districts, including Churachandpur, the epicenter of the ethnic conflict that began in May 2023, resulting in a halt to the government's move to resume "free movement" in the strife-torn state, reported Deccan Herald.
The anti-riot Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the Central Reserve Police Force marched on the streets at regular intervals. The roads were blocked at multiple points with the help of wooden logs and huge rocks, reported The Hindu.
Manipur state department had decided to resume bus services with escorts from central paramilitary forces on the Imphal-Kangpokpi-Senapati and Imphal-Bishnupur-Churachadpur routes from Saturday, March 8, following Union home minister Amit Shah’s order earlier this month to ensure “free movement” in the state.
On March 1, in the first high-level meeting to review Manipur’s law and order situation since President’s Rule, Shah had directed security forces to ensure free movement for people “on all roads in Manipur from March 8, 2025”.
Also read: Manipur: Amit Shah's Order to Complete Border Fencing 'At the Earliest' Echoes a Past Conflict
He had also said that “strict action should be taken against anyone attempting to create obstructions”.
Violent clashes broke out on March 8 when a Meitei group marched toward the hill districts, leading to confrontations with Kuki-Zo community members attempting to block their entry. A 19-year-old Kuki man was killed, while 48 Kuki people were injured. Police have said that 27 security personnel were injured as well.
In the last 21 months of violence in Manipur, the movement of people and goods from one part of the border state to the other has been hugely affected. The state had been virtually divided into two based on ethnic identities – the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo communities.
The state has been marred by a series of violent incidents, gunfights and drone bombings, leading to widespread displacement, loss of life and sharp divisions.
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