Shutdown continues to hit life in volatile Manipur
Imphal: Normal life continues to remain affected in Manipur for the fifth day on Thursday due to the indefinite shutdown called by the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex body of the tribals, to protest the police action in the tribal areas.
According to Kashmir Media Service, a police official in Imphal admitted that the situation in Kuki-Zo tribal inhabited areas, especially in Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts, remained tense after Saturday’s (March 8) clashes with the security forces.
The indefinite shutdown was relaxed for a few hours in Churachandpur town to enable people to buy essentials and perform important work.
KZC activists, supporters and members of other tribal organisations, including a large number of women, organised demonstrations in different areas of Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and other areas.
The official said that a large contingent of armed forces, comprising both Army, Central and state forces, have been deployed in Kuki-Zo tribal inhabited areas of Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Pherzawl districts and mixed population Jiribam district, which shared borders with southern Assam.
Senior police officials are monitoring the situation, he said.
On March 8, at least 43 people, including 27 Indian forces personnel, were injured and a protester was killed during the clashes in Kangpokpi and a few other districts as the Kuki-Zo tribal organisations protested in support of their demands.
It is worth mentioning here that Manipur is experiencing a separatist movement, with various groups demanding independence or greater autonomy.
