Written By: Bit Irom
Imphal: Normal life in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district was disrupted on Saturday following a 10-hour total shutdown (bandh) called by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) to honour two Kuki village guards who were killed in an exchange of fire with suspected Naga militants at Mulam in Ukhrul district on Friday.
The bandh, which began at 6 am, concluded peacefully at 4 pm. During the shutdown, the bodies of the two deceased were laid to rest at the Martyrs’ Cemetery in Phaijang village of Kangpokpi district. The cemetery has emerged as a significant burial site for Kuki-Zo people killed during the ongoing ethnic conflict in the state.
The deceased were identified as Paominlun Haolai (22), a resident of Haijang village in Singngat Sub-Division of Churachandpur district, and Letlal Sitlhou (41), from K. Khonom village in Kangpokpi district.
All shops, business establishments, educational institutions, and government offices remained closed in response to CoTU’s call.
Vehicular movement from Dimapur to Imphal via Kangpokpi district was also halted at strategic points in Senapati and Sekmai areas along National Highway 102 during the bandh.
CoTU strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a “heinous crime” and expressing serious concern over its implications for peace and stability in the region.
The organisation also urged the authorities to identify and apprehend those responsible and take firm measures to curb armed militias allegedly “running amok” in the state.