KZC's Indefinite Shutdown Paralyzes Kangpokpi, Kuki-Zo Community Demands Removal of SP as dead body remains unclaimed

The Kuki-Zo community in Sadar Hills Kangpokpi District has enforced an indefinite shutdown called by the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) following the tragic killing of a young protestor, Lalgouthang Singsit, allegedly by security forces at Keithelmanbi Military Colony on March 8.

The shutdown, which began at midnight on March 8, has completely paralyzed life in Kuki-Zo-dominated areas. In Kangpokpi, hundreds of Kuki-Zo women took to the streets, ensuring strict compliance. All shops, businesses, private institutions, and educational centers remained closed, while women volunteers monitored vehicular movement, allowing only emergency services to pass.

A crucial meeting was convened at Keithelmanbi Military Colony, attended by key civil society organizations, including CoTU, Kuki Inpi, and KSO, to discuss the fate of Lalgouthang Singsit's unclaimed body. While the organizations refrained from disclosing their resolutions, they confirmed that the deceased's body would not be claimed.

Meanwhile, Kuki-Zo womenfolk gathered at District Hospital Kangpokpi, mourning the loss of Singsit, whose body remains in the hospital morgue.

At the hospital, Ng. Lun Kipgen, spokesperson of CoTU, issued a strong condemnation of the alleged brutality of SP Kangpokpi, accusing him of not only being responsible for Singsit's death but also damaging homes, an ambulance, and private vehicles in Keithelmanbi Military Colony.

Denouncing what he called the "high-handedness and brutality" of SP Kangpokpi, Kipgen made a direct appeal to the Governor, demanding the officer’s immediate transfer "if peace is to be restored."

CoTU has fully endorsed the KZC-led indefinite shutdown, declaring that all businesses, institutions, and vehicular movement will remain suspended and various forms of democratic protests will continue across the district.