Imphal: Normal life was disrupted across five valley districts of Manipur on Tuesday as markets, educational institutions and business establishments remained closed during a 48-hour statewide shutdown called to protest the killing of three Meitei civilians by suspected militants.
The shutdown, called by the Native People’s Committee Manipur (NPCM), began at midnight on Monday and is scheduled to continue through Wednesday. Public transport remained off the roads, although a limited number of private vehicles were seen operating.
The shutdown affected Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Kakching districts, with most shops, markets, schools and business establishments remaining closed.
The protest followed Monday’s attack on a group of Meitei villagers who had gone to the Sunurok hills near the Imphal East-Kangpokpi border to collect firewood. According to police, unidentified armed men opened fire on the group, killing three people and injuring three others. Security forces subsequently launched search operations in the area using drones, sniffer dogs and other surveillance equipment.
The deceased have been identified as Lairenlakpam Inaobi, 57, Arubam Ronin, 35, and Kshetrimayum Susil, 32. The injured were taken to a hospital in Imphal for treatment.
The killings triggered angry protests in Imphal on Monday, with residents carrying the bodies of two victims to the official residence of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh. Police later used tear gas to disperse protesters and shifted the bodies to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences.
The attack has also led to competing allegations about the identity of the assailants. Meitei groups have alleged the involvement of Kuki armed groups, while the identities of the attackers remain under investigation. Police have described the assailants as unidentified militants and launched a combing operation in the area.
Members of the NPCM blocked roads and staged demonstrations in parts of Imphal East and Imphal West on Tuesday. Tyres were also burnt on roads at Kwakeithel and Chingmeirong in Imphal West and Khurai Lamlong in Imphal East on Monday night.
Security has been strengthened across Imphal and other vulnerable areas following the latest violence. Chief Minister Khemchand has directed authorities to intensify security measures, while security forces continue search operations for those responsible for the attack.
The latest violence has raised fresh concerns over a possible escalation in Manipur, where an ethnic conflict between the valley-based Meitei and hill-based Kuki communities erupted in May 2023.
The conflict has claimed at least 306 lives and left 49 people missing, according to the figures cited in the latest reports, while thousands have been displaced from their homes. Recent violence has also involved tensions between Kuki and Naga communities.
The situation remained tense on Tuesday, with authorities maintaining a heightened security presence as the shutdown continued across the valley districts.