Several civil society and student organisations, including the Indigenous People Organisation Manipur (IPOM), All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Yelhoumee Kanba Lup and others, have jointly called for a 24-hour statewide shutdown to protest the recent improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Bishnupur district that injured 2 returnees.
Announcing the shutdown, IPOM Vice President Kh. Chandramani voiced strong dissatisfaction over what he described as the existence of 2 parallel administrative systems in Manipur, one governing the hill areas and the other the valley. He stated that the IED attack in the Saiton area, which left 2 persons injured, followed an earlier incident on December 16, 2025, when Kuki militants allegedly attacked returnees at Phougakchao Ikhai.
Kh. Chandramani alleged that the recent incidents were deliberate attempts by what he termed Kuki narco-terrorists to derail efforts towards the formation of a popular government and to prolong President’s Rule in the state in order to strengthen their political demands. He claimed that although arms were surrendered following the imposition of President’s Rule, armed groups in the hill areas were allegedly permitted to retain sophisticated weapons, including assault rifles and AK-47s. He further alleged that firing of lethal weapons was witnessed even during New Year celebrations, a situation he claimed did not occur in the valley areas.
The IPOM Vice President also demanded the withdrawal of non-local security forces deployed in sensitive and interior hill areas, asserting that the responsibility of maintaining law and order should be entrusted to state forces. He claimed that the continued presence of outside forces had generated fear and resentment among the local population.
The 24-hour shutdown will be observed across Manipur on December 6.
The call was announced during a joint press meet attended by representatives of IPOM, Anouba Senmitlon, Yelhoumee Lannap Kanba Apunba Lup, People’s Alliance for Land and Environment, World Meitei Organisation, Manipur Peoples’ Coordination Mechanism, United Peoples and Communities Organisation, AMSU and Meitei Progressive Front.