Shutdowns paralyse life across Manipur hill districts after killings of church leaders, civilian

Normal life came to a near standstill across several districts of Manipur today as separate shutdowns called by Kuki-Zo and Naga organisations paralysed transport, business activities and public services following the killing of three church leaders and a civilian in separate militant attacks a day earlier.
Government offices recorded thin attendance, while schools and colleges remained closed in the worst-affected districts of Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Chandel. Markets remained deserted and public transport largely stayed off the roads as community groups enforced shutdowns in protest against the killings.
The strongest impact was witnessed in Kangpokpi district, where Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body of Kuki tribes in the state, enforced a 48-hour shutdown beginning Thursday midnight against the killing of three Thadou church leaders near Kotlen village on Wednesday.
The three victims — Rev. Dr. V. Sitlhou, Pastor Kaigoulen Lhouvum and Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou — were killed after unidentified armed militants ambushed two vehicles carrying members of the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA) between Kotzim and Kotlen villages while they were returning from Churachandpur after attending a conference.
Protesters blocked National Highway-2, the crucial Imphal-Dimapur route, disrupting movement of goods and passenger vehicles through Kangpokpi district. Business establishments remained shut and vehicular movement was severely affected.
Tension also intensified in Churachandpur district after the Zomi Students’ Federation-General Headquarters imposed an indefinite shutdown in town areas from Wednesday evening. Roads remained largely deserted while commercial activities came to a halt across several localities.
In Chandel district, the Chandel Naga People’s Organisation enforced a separate shutdown following the killing of Wilson Thanga, a member of the Chiru Naga community, in neighbouring Noney district on Wednesday evening.
According to reports, Wilson Thanga and his wife were returning to their home at Dolang village in a four-wheeler when suspected militants allegedly opened fire on their vehicle near Joujangtek. Thanga died on the spot while his wife sustained injuries.
The fresh violence has further heightened tensions in Manipur, where prolonged ethnic conflict since May 2023 has already claimed more than 260 lives and displaced thousands, despite continued deployment of central security forces and repeated assurances from authorities to restore normalcy.