Shutdown imposed in Kangpokpi, Kuki-Zo Council threatens economic blockade

Imphal: Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), a Kuki body, has begun a 12-hour total shutdown in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Thursday, while as Kuki-Zo Council warns of economic blockade in Kuki inhabited districts, demanding withdrawal of central forces stationed in ‘Saibol’ village of the district.

KoTU made the announcement of the shutdown on Wednesday ‘in addition to the indefinite economic blockade already in place along the

National Highway-2’.

The committee called for the shutdown following its repeated appeals for the withdrawal of central forces from Saibol.

The shutdown commenced at 2 pm on Thursday to continue until 2 am on Friday.

The Kuki organization urged for a ‘constructive dialogue to address the root causes of our grievances and ensure lasting peace in the region’.

Tensions in the area have been high since December 24, 2024, when a gunfight erupted in the adjoining areas of Kangpokpi and Imphal East districts.

The gunfight occurred in and around Saibol village, Thamnapokpi, Yaingangpokpi, and Santikhongbal, initiated by armed Kuki militants.

On December 31, central forces including the Indian Army, BSF, CRPF and Manipur Police conducted an area sensitization operation in Saibol village to dismantle bunkers used by militants. However, the operation faced resistance from local women, who confronted the combined forces.

During the standoff, at least 20 women were injured when security forces fired tear gas shells and mock bombs to disperse the crowd.

Manipur Police, in a post on X, stated “Joint security forces are deployed at the hilltop to dominate the area and prevent any untoward incidents.”

Kuki-Zo Council has slso threatened to impose economic blockade across all Kuki-Zo inhabited districts of Manipur if the central forces are not withdrawn from Saibol village.

In an ultimatum of 12 hours issued on Thursday, the council warned the government of its intentions and criticized the non-implementation of agreements related to a recent incident involving alleged inhumane actions by state-supervised armed forces (excluding the Indian Army) against Kuki-Zo women in Saibol.

The statement also pointed to “negligence in maintaining peace in the buffer zone,” emphasizing the need to strengthen measures to prevent Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities from crossing into each other’s territories and escalating violence.