What Impact Did the Shutdown Have on Manipur's Two-Year Ethnic Conflict?

Imphal, May 3 (NationPress) Normal life was significantly disrupted in Manipur on Saturday as various groups initiated a shutdown to commemorate two years of ethnic strife in the state.

According to police reports, the shutdown has remained peaceful thus far in both valley and hill districts.

The leading organization of the Meitei community, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), called for the shutdown in the valley area, which includes six districts. Meanwhile, the Zomi Students Federation (ZSF) and the Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) enforced the shutdown in the hill regions.

A police spokesperson stated that due to the shutdown, shops, markets, businesses, government and private offices, banks, and educational institutions were closed, with most vehicles—except those of security personnel—remaining off the roads.

Both central and state security forces have been deployed at crucial and sensitive locations to avert any potential incidents, and senior officials are closely monitoring the evolving situation.

In the meantime, numerous individuals, including women, have congregated at Imphal's Khuman Lampak, where COCOMI is hosting a public convention as part of the observance of two years of ethnic violence.

Later on Saturday evening, COCOMI plans to hold a candlelight vigil to honor the martyrs and victims affected by the ethnic violence at Kangla Nongpok Thong. COCOMI has encouraged the public to attend the convention in large numbers and has requested that citizens abstain from regular activities on Saturday in solidarity with this cause. Various organizations representing the Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribal communities are set to hold numerous events across Manipur, Guwahati, Delhi, and Bengaluru.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), a prominent organization among the Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribes in Manipur, has designated this day as “Separation Day”.

Since February 13, Manipur has been under President's Rule, four days following N. Biren Singh's resignation as Chief Minister.

The 60-member Manipur Assembly, which has been placed under suspended animation following the declaration of President's Rule, is scheduled to remain in this state until 2027.

Over 260 individuals have lost their lives, more than 1,500 have sustained injuries, and over 70,000 individuals have been displaced due to the ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023, following a 'Tribal Solidarity March' organized in the hill districts in protest against the Meitei community's request for Scheduled Tribe status.

This unrest has also resulted in the destruction or damage of thousands of homes, government and non-government properties, and religious sites.

In an effort to resolve the ongoing ethnic tensions, a preliminary tripartite meeting involving officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and representatives from the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities took place in New Delhi on April 5.