Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials arrived in Churachandpur on Tuesday (March 11, 2025), as the Kuki-Zo dominated district was reopened for economic activities, three days after the violent clashes of March 8. The MHA team is in the hill district to hold a dialogue with the Kuki-Zo Council in order to find a solution to the impasse.
The movement of commercial vehicles, however, remained suspended for the fourth straight day in both Kangpokpi and Churachandpur, the Kuki-Zo dominated districts which flank the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley in the north and south respectively.
Kangpokpi, the epicentre of the March 8 clash between the Kuki-Zo people and central security forces over the enforcement of “free movement” for all vehicles, remained shut as government officials negotiated with civil society leaders. The burial of Lalgouthang Singsit, the protestor who was killed during the violence, is yet to be conducted.
Security convoys stopped
Vehicle movement was briefly allowed in Kangpokpi during the day. By afternoon, however, women protestors had blocked the road again, even stopping security convoys.
The Committee On Tribal Unity (COTU), which is spearheading the protests in Kangpoki, had demanded that the talks with the Central officials be held in that district. However, the MHA team led by A.K Mishra, Adviser, NorthEast, travelled to Churachandpur instead, where the Kuki Zo Council is headquartered. The COTU members also participated in the meeting, which continued till late evening on Tuesday. Further details about the discussions are not known yet.
Meanwhile, three Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were killed and at least 13 were injured when their bus fell into a gorge at Senapati district in Manipur. The injured jawans were rushed to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal.
‘Essential vehicles only’
Women protestors in Churachandpur checked vehicles coming from the Meitei-dominated Imphal-Bishnupur side, turning away most vehicles, even those belonging to non-Meitei communities.
“We will only allow vehicles carrying essentials such as rice, potato, LPG cylinders for our district. Those vehicles with people from Churachandpur will be allowed. We cannot allow any other community to come here,” said Mercy Thangsing, 35, a housewife.
Around 200 women, mostly dressed in black, sat at the district border, checking vehicles that had been cleared by the Army and central security forces stationed in the buffer zone between Bishnupur and Churachandpur. There were homemakers, students, professionals, and government officials among the protesting women.
‘Political solution first’
A banner put up by the women’s wing of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) at the checkpoint said: “No Free Movement in Kuki-Zo Areas Without Political Solution. We Want Lasting Peace, Not Momentary Peace Policy Of The Government.” Another poster hung up at the same checkpoint carried the blown-up photos of those injured in the March 8 violence.
Schools, businesses, and other activities continued at a normal pace in the valley areas.
Since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023, the Kuki-Zo people in the hills and the Meitei people in the valley have been physically separated, though commercial vehicles were plying. Manipur was placed under President’s Rule on February 13, and in a security review meeting on March 1, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had directed the free movement of all vehicles on the State’s highways from March 8.
