Imphal, April 20: Daily life in Imphal Valley and the Naga-dominated hilly areas of Manipur has been severely disrupted due to an ongoing shutdown called by various organizations. The shutdown continued on Monday following violence during a rally in Imphal West district, leading to the arrest of 21 individuals for their alleged involvement.
The call for the shutdown was made by Meira Paibi, a prominent women’s organization, which has collaborated with various civil society groups. The shutdown affects five to six districts in the region.
Protests are ongoing in Bishnupur district against the murder of two minors and the injury of their mother on April 7. These incidents are alleged to have been carried out by suspected Kuki militants. The shutdown, which began at midnight on Saturday, has nearly paralyzed daily activities in the valley.
Members of Meira Paibi and groups of women protesters have been seen blocking roads and restricting vehicle movement. According to police reports, both passenger and commercial vehicles have been absent from the roads, and shops, businesses, and street vendors have remained closed, causing significant disruption.
In the hilly regions, the United Naga Council, the apex body of the Naga community in Manipur, has called for a separate three-day complete shutdown in all Naga-dominated areas starting from midnight on Sunday. This shutdown was announced in protest against the killing of two Naga civilians in Ukhrul district on April 18, also attributed to suspected Kuki militants.
Manipur’s Home Minister, Konthoujam Govindas, has appealed to civil society organizations and the public to reconsider and withdraw these shutdowns in the interest of public welfare and the state’s normal functioning. Meanwhile, police reported the arrest of at least 21 individuals for their alleged involvement in the violence during the rally in Imphal West two days ago.
According to a police statement, a torch rally was held on April 18 along the Imphal-Jiribam road, organized by various civil society organizations from Patsoi to Sagolband. During the rally, the crowd reportedly turned violent, throwing stones at police officers, launching petrol bombs, and using slingshots and large stones, resulting in several injuries. Government vehicles belonging to security forces were vandalized, and three personnel from the CRPF’s 232nd Battalion were seriously injured. Police managed to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control.
In response to the violence, the Chief Minister announced that the state government would refer both the shooting incident in Ukhrul district on April 18 and the deadly bomb attack in Bishnupur district on April 7 to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a thorough investigation.
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