Imphal: The 48-hour statewide shutdown called to protest the killing of three Meitei villagers collecting firewood at Sunurok in Imphal East entered its second day on Tuesday. Markets, schools and offices were shut and public transport was off the roads in the five valley districts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Kakching.
Violence, meanwhile, has not stopped. On Tuesday, unidentified assailants shot dead a 45-year-old Kuki man in Kangpokpi district, while about six Kuki houses were torched in Ukhrul. Four people have been killed in the Uyumpok, Nongshum and Thoubal areas in the last 48 hours.
The shutdown, which began at midnight on Monday, is led by the Native People Committee Manipur (NPCM). It has demanded action against the armed groups responsible, removal of unauthorised armed camps near Khongbal Tangkhul and Khamenlok, and a transparent, time-bound probe. It has also sought the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen.
On Monday afternoon, a delegation of the INDIA bloc led by former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh met Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and sought an all-party meeting. Ibobi also suggested facilitating a meeting with the Prime Minister or the Home Minister if needed. No date for the all-party meeting has been fixed.
At least 306 people have died in Manipur in the ethnic violence since 2023.