48-Hour Complete Shutdown in Kangpokpi District Following Public Appeal on Vehicular Movement Resumption

In response to the Government of Manipur’s recent public appeal to resume vehicular movement on the Imphal-Kangpokpi-Senapati and Imphal-Bishnupur-Churachandpur routes, civil society organizations in Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi District, have imposed a 48-hour total shutdown, effective from midnight on December 3.

The shutdown follows the state government’s announcement to reinstate public vehicle services, starting December 4, 2024, with strict security measures in place. This decision came after the government’s assessment of the law and order situation, which included consultations with security forces and agencies. However, the Kuki-Zo communities in Sadar Hills have strongly opposed this move, accusing the government of attempting to "forcefully normalize" the situation in the region.

The opposition is rooted in a deep mistrust of the government’s intentions, with local leaders and activists labeling the initiative as a "bulldozed peace attempt" that disregards the concerns of the Kuki-Zo people. In response, a massive protest has erupted in the district, with residents voicing their anger at what they perceive as the imposition of the government’s decisions on their community.

The 48-hour shutdown is seen as a form of resistance against what they consider an unjust and unilateral decision by the state authorities.

Local shops, schools, markets, and other businesses will remain closed. The civil society organizations have also called for the immediate suspension of government offices in Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi, to express their resentment against what they claim is a biased and nepotistic notification by the state government.

However, educational institutions in the district, considering the ongoing academic examinations, will be exempt from the shutdown while there will be no restriction on vehicular movement during the 48-hour total shutdown but if the Government fails to withdraw it's decision, restriction of commercial vehicles will be imposed in the next course of action.

With the decision to imposed the total shutdown, the people of Kangpokpi are sending a strong message to the Government of Manipur that peace cannot be imposed, and that their voices must be heard in any efforts to resolve the situation in the region.