Imphal: Security forces in Manipur have failed to act according to Union Home minister Amit Shah’s instruction to reopen national highways and reconnect districts in Manipur after one year and 10 months of Manipur Crisis.
Following the instructions in a high level meeting chaired by the Home minister a group of people spearheaded by Federation of Civil Society (FOCS), a Meitei group, flagged off the “March to Hills” towards Senapati via Kangpokpi, a Kuki-dominated area on Saturday morning.
Security forces stopped the FOCS team about one kilometer before the Kangpokpi district boundary, preventing them from proceeding further.
Speaking to reporters, FOCS president Th. Manihar said, “We attempted to march towards Senapati via Kangpokpi district (a Kuki-dominated area) with a message of peace, not to provoke Kuki-Zo communities. This was initiated following the instruction of Union Home minister Amit Shah that all roads in Manipur should be reopened from March 8. If security forces cannot secure the roads, we won’t be able to trust the Centre again.”
A protester defying Amit Shah’s directive for free movement on all highways in Manipur succumbed to a bullet injury at Keithelmanbi, Kangpokpi district, on Saturday following a confrontation with central security forces.
The deceased, identified as Lalgouthang Sinshit, also known as Lalgun Singsit, of Keithelmanbi Military Colony in Kangpokpi district, sustained a bullet wound to his abdomen and died on the spot.
During a high-level review meeting on March 1, Amit Shah directed that all highways in Manipur be reopened from March 8, warning of stringent action against those who defied his order.
In compliance with Shah’s directive, the Manipur government, under tight security, officially launched Manipur State Transport bus and helicopter services on Saturday to facilitate safe and reliable public transportation.
According to a statement released by chief secretary Prashant Kumar Singh on Friday, the state arranged bus services under Central Armed Police Force escort on the routes Imphal-Kangpokpi-Senapati, Imphal-Bishnupur-Churachandpur.
Helicopter services were also commenced, with flights between Imphal and Churachandpur operating on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while air connectivity between Imphal and Ukhrul is available on Saturdays.
“In case anyone is found involved in any act disturbing the movement of MST buses, he or she shall be prosecuted under relevant laws,” the chief secretary warned
The first bus service was launched from Bir Tikendrajit Imphal International Airport at around 9am. Only two passengers boarded the Imphal-Senapati service via Kangpokpi, while no passengers were present for the Imphal-Churachandpur route.
Various Kuki-Zo groups, including village volunteers, defied Shah’s directive, warning that there would be no free movement in Kuki-Zo-dominated areas until their eight-point demand—particularly the call for “separate administration” in the form of a Union Territory—was met.
Thousands of Kuki-Zo protesters blocked National Highway-2 (Dimapur-Imphal) in Kangpokpi district from Gamgiphai to Keithelmanbi, using massive rocks, burning tires, and other obstacles.
Security forces attempted to clear the blockade, but tensions escalated. CAPF and state police fired tear gas shells, mock bombs, and live rounds into the air. Protesters retaliated with slingshots and stone-pelting, attempting to halt the MST buses. Security forces eventually overpowered the demonstrators at Gamgiphai.
In a separate confrontation, protesters again attempted to block the highway. As security forces responded with tear gas, mock bombs, and live rounds into the air, Lalgouthang Sinshit was struck by a stray bullet and died on the spot. At least 40 others sustained injuries, with at least 10 in critical condition.
Amid the chaos, an enraged mob torched a private four-wheeler.
Official source said the state bus is still at Keithelmanbi.
Following the protester’s death, tensions escalated in Kangpokpi district, and the highway remained blocked by demonstrators.
The Imphal-Churachandpur bus service was forced to return to Imphal without reaching its destination from Tuibong, Churachandpur district.
In response to the Kangpokpi incident, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), a prominent Kuki-Zo body, announced an indefinite shutdown in all Kuki-Zo-dominated areas starting from midnight on Saturday.
The KZC accused the state government of deliberately escalating tensions, stating “The recent actions of the state government to send Meitei people into Kuki-Zo areas, despite ample warnings against such movements, have escalated tensions in the region… This alarming situation has led to the death of Mr. Lalgun Singsit.”
“The KZC cannot guarantee free movement of Meiteis across buffer zones and cannot take responsibility for any untoward incidents.”
With tensions mounting, security remains tight in the region as authorities attempt to navigate the volatile situation.
+ There are no comments
Add yours