Manipur Grinds to a Halt as Shutdown Marks Second Anniversary of Ethnic Conflict
The shutdown, observed in both the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley and Kuki-Zo-majority hill districts, disrupted daily life, with shops, markets, schools, and offices closed, .............
IMPHAL/CHURACHANDPUR- Manipur came to a standstill today as a statewide shutdown, called by Meitei and Kuki-Zo civil society groups, marked the second anniversary of the ethnic conflict that erupted on May 3, 2023.
The shutdown, observed in both the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley and Kuki-Zo-majority hill districts, disrupted daily life, with shops, markets, schools, and offices closed, and public transport halted. The somber day saw mass gatherings, candlelight marches, and demands for peace, justice, and resolution to a conflict that has claimed over 260 lives and displaced more than 70,000 people.
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The shutdown crippled normalcy across Manipur. “Shops, markets, business establishments, government and non-government offices, banks, and educational institutions were closed,” a police official reported. “Most vehicles, except those of security forces, stayed off the roads.” Markets in Imphal and Churachandpur wore a deserted look, with economic activity halted, exacerbating the region’s ongoing economic strain.
The conflict, sparked by a Manipur High Court order recommending Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Meitei community, led to violent clashes between the valley-based Meiteis and hill-dwelling Kuki-Zo tribes. The unrest, rooted in ethnic tensions, land disputes, and policy disagreements, has left Manipur ethnically partitioned, with communities unable to cross into each other’s territories.
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In the Imphal Valley, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) enforced the shutdown across six districts, urging residents to attend the Manipur People’s Convention at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium. The convention featured speeches by scholars, civil society leaders, and displaced persons, emphasizing the need to preserve Manipur’s territorial integrity and ensure safe movement across the state.
COCOMI also called for transparency regarding alleged illegal settlements in hill areas and the dignified return of displaced persons with compensation. In the evening, a candlelight march in Imphal paid tribute to those killed, with COCOMI spokesperson Khuraijam Athouba stating, “We honor our martyrs and victims, united in our resolve for peace and justice.”
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In the Kuki-Zo-dominated hill districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Pherzawl, the Zomi Students Federation (ZSF), Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), and Joint Student Body (JSB) led a parallel shutdown, observing May 3 as “Separation Day.”
Thousands gathered at the Wall of Remembrance in Churachandpur’s Tuibuong at 11 AM, followed by a program at the Sehken Burial Site at 2 PM, to honor victims. Black flags were hoisted across Kuki areas as a sign of mourning, with the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) reiterating demands for a separate administration or Union Territory with a legislature. Similar programs were held in Guwahati, Delhi, and Bengaluru to amplify the Kuki-Zo cause.
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The Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FACO) organized an event at Yumnam Khunou Community Hall in Imphal East under the theme “Bridging Divides for Shared Future,” advocating for reconciliation. Meanwhile, the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) proposed observing May 3 as “Peace Day” annually to promote unity and avoid communal tensions.
The shutdown underscored the deep ethnic divide. Meitei groups, led by COCOMI, oppose any division of Manipur and demand free movement and action against alleged illegal settlements. Conversely, Kuki-Zo organizations, including ITLF, remain steadfast in their call for a separate administration, citing ongoing violence and marginalization.
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Manipur remains under President’s Rule since February 13, 2025, following Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s resignation. The state assembly, under suspended animation until 2027, has left a political vacuum.
A tripartite meeting on April 5, 2025, between Meitei, Kuki-Zo representatives, and the Ministry of Home Affairs yielded no agreement, though dialogue continues.
Today’s shutdown, while peaceful, highlighted the urgent need for inclusive dialogue to bridge Manipur’s ethnic divide.
