Shutdown paralyzes Christian-dominated district in Manipur amid political unrest
Imphal: Normal life remained paralyzed across the Kuki-Zo dominated Churachandpur district of violence-hit Manipur following a total shutdown called by tribal organisations to protest the participation of an MLA from the community in the formation of the state government.
According to Kashmir Media Service, markets were closed, vehicular movement came to a halt, and attendance in educational and government offices remained thin. The shutdown severely affected daily life across the district.
The Churachandpur unit of the Kuki Students Organisation imposed a 24-hour total shutdown from Friday (February 6) midnight in the district, while another outfit — Joint Forum of Seven (JF7) — imposed a shutdown in Kuki-Zo areas from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The impact of the strike was particularly pronounced in the Tuibong area of the district headquarters.
The situation remained tense in the district and additional Indian forces have been deployed in vital points of the district headquarters town.
Meanwhile, Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) organised a mass public rally to oppose the participation of Kuki-Zo MLA in the formation of the government. The organisation said the protest reflected the collective stand of Kuki women against political developments they deem unacceptable under the prevailing circumstances.
On Thursday evening, clashes broke out between protesters and Indian forces near Tuibong forest gate. Forces resourted to baton charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse demonstrators after stone-pelting incidents. The clashes continued into Friday morning, leaving many protesters injured.
The brutal ethnic and communal violence that erupted in Manipur in May 2023 between the Hindu-majority Meitei and Christian-majority Kuki-Zo communities is still nowhere in sight. Over 250 people, mostly Christians, have been killed, more than 60,000 displaced, and hundreds of churches along with numerous Christian localities destroyed.
