Normal life in Manipur’s Churachandpur district was severely impacted by a total shutdown called by various tribal organizations. The shutdown was in protest against the involvement of MLAs from the Kuki-Zo community in the state government formation. The protest led to closed government and private offices, shops, markets, banks, and educational institutions, with vehicles staying off the roads.
Protest rallies were also held in Tengnoupal and other mountainous districts of the state on the same issue. Agitators in Churachandpur district headquarters town stopped vehicles, creating a tense situation. The Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR), Joint Forum of Seven (JF7), and other Kuki-Zo tribal organizations enforced a 24-hour total shutdown in the district.
The protest escalated with clashes between a mob and security forces, resulting in injuries to at least five people. The situation remained tense, leading to the deployment of additional security forces across the district and other hill districts. The KSO and KWOHR organized a mass protest rally opposing the participation of Kuki-Zo MLAs in the government formation process.
Tensions have been rising in Churachandpur district since Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, a BJP MLA from the Kuki-Zo community, virtually took oath. Kipgen, the only woman in the Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh ministry, along with two other Kuki-Zo MLAs, has been involved in the government formation. The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) declared a social boycott of all Kuki-Zo MLAs participating in the Manipur government formation.
