Violence after roads blocked over Centre’s bid to restore free movement in state

One person was killed and 40 others, including women, injured in clashes between protesters and security personnel as tensions escalated across Manipur on Saturday, the first day of the opening of roads and highways as directed by the Centre.

Home Minister Amit Shah had at a security review meeting on March 1 issued instructions to ensure free movement for people on all roads in the state from March 8 and deal sternly with those trying to create obstructions.

The protesters, mainly led by Kuki groups that have been opposing the Centre’s move and seeking a separate union territory status in tribal-majority areas, started blocking roads and highways in tribal-dominated Kangpokpi and Senapati districts on Saturday morning, leading to violent skirmishes with security personnel, who fired multiple rounds of teargas shells to disperse them.

Several state transport buses were blocked across Manipur by protesters, who were seen in videos raising “Meitei go back!” slogans and singing the national anthem to deter security personnel. The police and security personnel resorted to lathicharge on protesters, who included women.

Kuki-Zo Council calls for shutdown

The Kuki-Zo Council, the apex body of tribal communities in Manipur, announced an indefinite shutdown in all tribal-dominated areas from midnight of March 8. Kuki groups are seeking a separate UT status in all tribal dominated areas, but the Centre has made it clear that any such demand is non-negotiable.

One person was reportedly killed due to a bullet injury at Keithenmanbi village in Senapati district after security personnel resorted to firing during a skirmish with protesters there.

Tensions also escalated in Kangpokpi district as security forces fired multiple rounds of teargas shells to disperse protesters blocking the highway.

The demonstration, led by anti-free movement groups, disrupted traffic along the crucial National Highway-2 route.

The unrest was triggered after a mob pelted a Manipur State Transport (MST) bus with stones in Kangpokpi district’s Gamgiphai. The incident occurred shortly after inter-district bus services resumed from Imphal to the hill districts, marking the first such attempt since the ethnic violence erupted two years ago.

In December 2024, a similar effort by the state government to restart public transport services had failed when no passengers showed up at the MST station in Imphal’s Moirangkhom.

Meitei peace march stopped

A peace march by a Meitei body was stopped in Imphal West district on Saturday as it coincided with the Centre’s initiative to restore free movement of people, police said. Security forces stopped the procession by the Federation of Civil Society Organisations at Sekmai and asked the organisers to join the initiative.

With heavy security deployment, including an Assam Rifles convoy escorting MST buses, authorities were on high alert to prevent further disruptions.