Imphal: Violence erupted in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Saturday as clashes between Kuki protesters and security forces left one dead and 25 injured, including women.
The deceased, identified as 30-year-old Lalgouthang Singsit, succumbed to bullet injuries sustained during clashes at Keithelmanbi, police said.
The violence broke out after Kuki demonstrators opposed Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s directive allowing free movement across the state.
Tensions escalated as police fired tear gas to disperse protesters in Gamgiphai, Motbung, and Keithelmanbi.
At least 25 injured protesters were taken to nearby health centres for treatment.
Protesters set private vehicles on fire, blocked the Imphal-Dimapur highway (NH-2), and burned tires to obstruct government vehicles.
A state transport bus traveling from Imphal to Senapati district was also targeted.
The unrest coincided with a peace march by the Federation of Civil Society (FOCS), a Meitei organisation, which was stopped by security forces at Sekmai due to a lack of permission.
FOCS members argued that their march aligned with Shah’s free movement directive, but police insisted they could only travel using state-arranged buses.
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In response, the Kuki-Zo Council announced an indefinite shutdown across Kuki-Zo areas starting Saturday midnight.
The council criticised the free movement directive, urging the central government to address underlying issues to prevent further unrest.
“We cannot guarantee free movement of Meiteis across buffer zones and cannot take responsibility for any untoward incidents,” the council warned in a statement, further intensifying tensions in the state.
Moreover, tensions appear to be escalating further, with some social media posts labelling the Kuki protesters as “militant groups,” potentially misleading the public.
