Kangpokpi | March 8, 2025
Protesting against the deliberate attempt of the state administration to accord free hands to Meiteis to venture into Kuki areas, and the highhandedness of the security forces leading to a grave security situation in Kangpokpi areas today, the Kuki Students’ Organisation General Headquarters have announced an Indifinite Shutdown with effect from March 8 midnight.
In a press statement issued by Information and Publicity Department, the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) General Headquarters strongly denounced the intention of the government and the action of security forces as “highly reckless” resulting in the death of one individual and leaving over 50 others hospitalized in Kangpokpi District. The deceased is identified as Lalgouthang Singsit of Champhai KMC village.
The incident happened at Champhai KMC when civilians confronted the security forces who were leading buses coming from Imphal in what can be a protracted “imposed peace” between Kukis and Meiteis. Security forces without much hesitation resorted to firing live rounds leading to the death of the youth and left 50 others injured. An independent source implicated the involvement of the Superintendent of Police of Kangpokpi Manoj Prabhakar in the death of the youth.
Kuki civil organizations such as Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) have repeatedly warned the state administration of the free movement which the Union Home Minister Amit Shah advised the state administration. COTU in its earlier statement cited security concerns as one primary reason why it can’t allow Meiteis to freely roam in Kuki areas.
However, totally disregarding the concerns raised by Kuki bodies, the government sent Manipur State Buses towards Kangpokpi to show that normalcy returns and free movement have taken place. The purported peace mission have further aggravated the situation now and violate its very basic goals, the statement added.
The statement added that the excessive use force by security personnel has further fueled anger in the community, intensifying the resolve to resist what they see as unjust policies by the government. As such, KSO has called upon all its district branches to implement the indefinite shutdown effectively.
