Twin shutdowns, protests paralyse Manipur after child deaths, convoy attack

Large parts of Manipur came to a standstill on Monday as twin shutdowns called by different organisations in protest against recent killings disrupted daily life across both valley and hill districts, officials said.

Educational institutions, markets and public transport services remained shut across all five Meitei-dominated valley districts, as well as Naga-inhabited areas of Ukhrul and Senapati. Sit-in protests were held at multiple locations in Imphal valley, including Uripok and Nagaram.

The shutdown in the valley was called by the women’s group Meira Paibis, which began a five-day protest on Sunday following the April 7 blast in Tronglaobi village in Bishnupur district. The explosion killed a five-year-old boy and his six-month-old sister while they were asleep, and left their mother injured.

The incident triggered widespread outrage, with protests turning violent in some areas. During one such protest, three people were killed and around 30 others injured when security forces allegedly opened fire after a mob stormed a CRPF camp.

SEPARATE SHUTDOWN IN HILLS OVER CONVOY ATTACK

In the hill districts, the United Naga Council enforced a three-day “total shutdown” from Monday to protest the April 18 attack in Ukhrul district, where suspected militants fired on a convoy of civilian vehicles travelling from Imphal.

A retired Army personnel and another civilian were killed in the firing at TM Kasom village, an incident that occurred a day after former chief minister N Biren Singh visited the Tangkhul Naga-majority district and appealed for peace.

LAWYERS DEMAND PROBE, JUDICIAL INQUIRY

Amid the unrest, members of the legal fraternity staged a protest outside the Cheirap Court complex under the aegis of the Manipur Bar Association and the High Court Bar Association of Manipur.

Former Manipur Human Rights Commission chairperson Khaidem Mani said the lawyers condemned the Bishnupur attack and demanded intensified combing operations to arrest those responsible. He also called for a judicial inquiry into the firing that left three protesters dead, stating that handing the case to the NIA alone would not suffice.

The state government has decided to hand over both cases to the National Investigation Agency.

CONGRESS FLAGS ‘FAILURE’, SEEKS DIALOGUE AND RELIEF

The Congress targeted the Centre over the continuing violence, calling for urgent steps to restore normalcy. Inner Manipur MP A Bimol Akoijam said the party’s state unit has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the governor.

The party demanded completion of investigations into the recent killings, strict action against those involved, restoration of law and order, safe access to homes and essential services, and an economic package for the state. It also called for dialogue among stakeholders to address the crisis.

Akoijam alleged that the situation in Manipur has remained volatile for nearly three years and criticised the Centre’s response as inadequate.

BACKDROP OF PROLONGED ETHNIC VIOLENCE

Manipur has witnessed sustained ethnic violence since May 2023 between Meitei and Kuki communities, leaving over 260 people dead and thousands displaced.

President’s Rule was imposed in February 2025 following continued unrest and later lifted in February this year, but recurring incidents of violence continue to disrupt fragile efforts to restore normalcy.

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