Normal life disrupted in Kangpokpi as tribal group observes shutdown
The Committee on Tribal Unity extended the protest to demand justice for two Kuki civilians found dead.
Normal life in Manipur's Kangpokpi district was disrupted for the second consecutive day on Tuesday. According to The New Indian Express, markets and business establishments remained closed as a tribal organisation observed a shutdown to protest alleged government inaction regarding the killing of two youths.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) called for the shutdown to condemn the state government's response to the deaths of two Kuki civilians. The mutilated bodies of the youths, who had been missing for several days, were discovered in a hilly area of neighbouring Senapati on Sunday morning.
CoTU initially called for a 24-hour shutdown starting Sunday and extended the period by 48 hours on Monday night. The organisation stated the extension was due to the government's failure to take concrete steps to provide justice for the deaths of the Kuki Zo civilians.
The tribal group demanded time-bound action against those responsible and said the Kuki-Zo people would not accept administrative excuses or empty assurances. Police reported that several goods vehicles travelling towards Imphal were stranded in Senapati after being unable to enter Kangpokpi via the national highway.
A senior officer said additional security forces have been deployed in the district to prevent any unwanted incidents. The ethnic conflict in Manipur, which began in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki communities, has resulted in at least 306 deaths and left 49 people missing.