Centre's free movement attempt meets fierce opposition, one dead
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, March 08 2025: The Centre's effort to restore free movement in the state was met with fierce resistance as violent clashes erupted between Kuki-Zo demonstrators and security forces in Kangpokpi district, leaving one protester dead and at least 25 others, including women, injured.

The unrest unfolded as state transport buses resumed inter-district services after more than 20 months, escorted by security forces.

However, the move was vehemently opposed by Kuki groups, who saw it as a breach of the buffer zones established amid ongoing ethnic tensions in the state.

Centre's free movement attempt meets fierce opposition, one dead

The deceased, identified as 30-year-old Lalgouthang Singsit, reportedly sustained bullet injuries during the confrontation at Keithelmanbi and succumbed on the way to the hospital.

The clashes broke out when a state-run bus attempted to pass through Kangpokpi, sparking violent confrontations between security forces and demonstrators.

Protesters blocked National Highway-2 by piling up rocks, erecting barricades, burning tyres, pand pelting stones at government vehicles.

Security personnel responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, leading to multiple injuries.

Kuki-Zo people alleged security forces of using live bullets though the allegation is not confirmed.

At least one private vehicle was torched by enraged demonstrators.

The violence stemmed from the union home minister Amit Shah's recent directive to restore free movement across Manipur.

At a high-level security review meeting in New Delhi on March 1, Amit Shah instructed authorities to ensure unobstructed transportation between the Imphal valley and the hill districts.

In compliance, the Manipur State Transport (MST) deployed two buses - one on the Imphal-Kangpokpi-Senapati route and another on the Imphal-Bishnupur-Churachandpur route - under tight security provided by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) .

Centre's free movement attempt meets fierce opposition, one dead

Meanwhile, the Federation of Civil Society (FOCS) attempted a "peace march" from Imphal to Senapati.

However, security forces stopped the convoy at Sekmai in Imphal West, preventing it from advancing further.

This march was seen by Kuki organisations as an incitement, with the 'Committee on Tribal Unity' warning that it would violate the buffer zones between the warring communities.

Tensions escalated further when the MST bus reached Kangpokpi, where large number of Kuki-Zo protesters gathered to obstruct its passage.

At first, the protestors holding the national flag even sang the National Anthem in a bid to deter the security forces from removing them.

As the security forces tried to disperse them, the protestors hurled stones, and security forces retaliated with a forceful crackdown.

The clash left more than 25 injured across Gamgiphai, Motbung, and Keithelmanbi, many of whom were admitted to nearby health centres with severe injuries.

Amid the chaos, security forces reportedly burned down several two-wheelers belonging to civilians.

The situation deteriorated as security convoys faced resistance throughout the district.

Visuals circulating on social media showed protesters digging up roads, setting up blockades, and confronting security forces with aggressive slogans.

Security forces have since intensified measures to ensure safe passage for travellers.

Beginning at 9 AM, BSF-escorted convoys transported two Meetei community members from Imphal Airport to Senapati via Kangpokpi, while a CRPF-escorted convoy operated on the Imphal-Churachandpur route.

Chief secretary PK Singh stated that the move was aimed at alleviating public inconvenience and restoring normalcy in the state.

The growing unrest has also led to sharp exchanges between opposing groups.

The Meitei Heritage Society condemned the road blockade, labelling it a direct challenge to the country's sovereignty.

It called for stringent action against those obstructing the highways, arguing that such acts hinder efforts to restore peace.

In contrast, a purported video released by a Kuki-Zo village volunteers' group from an undisclosed location showing several armed men, warned against attempts to enter their areas, demanding a separate administration before any free movement could be allowed.

The authenticity of the video has not been independently verified.

The latest escalation follows a failed attempt by the previous Biren-led government to restart public bus services in December last year.

At the time, the initiative failed as no passengers turned up at the MST station in Imphal, reflecting deep-seated apprehensions about security and inter-community movement.