Imphal: The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills, on Thursday extended its 48-hour total shutdown in Kangpokpi district, with no exemptions, until 5 pm on November 6, despite holding talks with the Manipur government over its demands.
The shutdown brought normal life across the district to an almost complete standstill, with educational institutions remaining closed and vehicular movement severely restricted.
CoTU spokesperson Ng. Lun Kipgen said the dialogue, held following an invitation from the state government, did not yield a fully positive outcome. While the government agreed to some of the Committee’s demands, it sought more time to deliberate on other key issues, he said.
Kipgen said CoTU had decided to give the government additional time to address the outstanding demands in the interest of an amicable resolution. However, he clarified that the decision did not mean the Committee was withdrawing its agitation or easing the shutdown.
“Dialogue must not become a convenient instrument for buying time, nor can assurances substitute for decisive action,” Kipgen said.
He said the government was expected to translate its assurances into concrete action and reach an acceptable resolution within the stipulated timeframe.
Kipgen warned that CoTU would collectively decide its next course of action if the government failed to reach an acceptable resolution before the shutdown ends at 5 pm on November 6.
The extended shutdown withdrew all exemptions allowed during its previous phase, bringing educational institutions, local commuters and other previously permitted categories of movement under the restrictions.
All educational institutions across Kangpokpi district remained closed on Thursday.
Vehicular movement along the downtown stretch of the Imphal-Dimapur road (NH-2) and the IT Road was also severely restricted. Unlike the previous phase, when limited local movement was permitted, volunteers stopped vehicles from plying within the district.
In one instance, volunteers intercepted vehicles on downtown IT Road and seized the keys of those allegedly violating the shutdown. The vehicle owners were reportedly made to remain at the spot until 3 pm. Their keys were subsequently returned, along with warnings against further violations.
The withdrawal of exemptions further disrupted routine transportation and educational activities across the district, causing inconvenience to residents.
CoTU has maintained that the shutdown will continue until the government addresses its outstanding demands.