Imphal: A 24-hour shutdown brought normal life to a halt in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Sunday, while a pre-dawn gunfight between armed groups reportedly left two to three cadres dead, according to reports.
The shutdown was enforced by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) from Saturday evening until 6 pm on Sunday. Commercial establishments remained closed and vehicular movement was disrupted across the district, although emergency medical services and other essential services continued to operate.
CoTU called the shutdown in response to a series of violent incidents, including the alleged killing of a woman in the Chassad area of Kamjong district, the death of a farmer in the Chepu-Yaolen area of Ukhrul district, and incidents of arson along the critical IT Road.
Tensions escalated further following a gunfight at around 4 am on Sunday near Asang Makui village.
According to the Twilang Lhang unit of the Kuki Village Volunteer office, its guards exchanged heavy fire after allegedly being ambushed by cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) and the Liangmai Village Guard (LVG).
Kuki representatives claimed that their volunteers opened fire in self-defence to repel the alleged attack. They also reported that several of their personnel sustained serious injuries, while two to three cadres from the opposing side were reportedly killed.
The reported casualties have not been independently verified.
In its response, CoTU condemned the alleged attacks on civilians and urged the administration to prioritise public safety to prevent further escalation of tensions in the region.
Kuki village representatives also called for an immediate investigation into the reported attack near the border area, urging the authorities to strengthen security in vulnerable hill settlements.
The developments underscore the continuing security concerns in parts of Manipur, where recent incidents of violence and retaliatory allegations have heightened tensions among communities.