IMPHAL:     Saturday's death of a protestor during demonstration against the government's directive for unrestricted movement along Manipur's highway triggered an indefinite total shutdown in Kuki-dominated areas on Sunday, crippling normal life in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts.

Lalgouthang Singsit, a 30-year-old man, was killed by gunfire on Saturday as security forces attempted to disperse Kuki protestors blocking the movement of state transport bus in Kangpokpi district.

The protests erupted in response to Union home minister Amit Shah's March 1 order for free travel on highways in Manipur from Saturday (March 8), as part of efforts to restore normalcy in the state, which has been reeling under ethnic conflict for nearly two years and divided into two zones- Kuki dominated hills and the Meitei dominated valley, with neither side unable to enter the other.

Following Singsit's death, the Kuki-Zo Council, backed by various other Kuki organisations, called for an indefinite total shutdown in Kuki- dominated areas from midnight. Protestors blocked key Highways, including the Imphal-Dimapur road and the Tiddim Road connecting Imphal to Mizoram, using burnt tires and wooden logs.

Kuki group have vowed to continue opposing free movement in their areas until their demands, particularly the creation of seperate Union Territory, are met. One of the group that extended support on Sunday said the provocation was a protest march by a Meitei organisation. 

In a statement, Indiginous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), a Kuki-Zo body, said, "Yesterday the Government of India's decision to allow the movement of Meiteis through Kuki- Zo areas led to agitation and protest in Kangpokpi... the security forces use excessive force on the protestors."

Endorsing the indefinite shutdown called in all Kuki-Zo areas, ITLF asked everyone to adhere to the shutdown in solidarity", news agency PTI reported.

#IMPHAL #MANIPUR #MANIPURPOLICE #VOILENCEINMANIPUR #PRESIDENTRULE