Calm but tensed: Indefinite strike brings Manipur to standstill on day 2 of 'free movement' directive - top developments

NEW DELHI: Day-to-day life came to a standstill in the Kuki-dominated areas in Manipur on Sunday after a retaliatory indefinite strike was enforced against the "crackdown by security forces." Although no fresh violence has been reported, the situation in the state's Kangpokpi district remained calm but tense.
This comes a day after at least one person died while 40 were injured in clashes between

Kuki

demonstrators and security forces protesting free movement along all roads in the ethnic strife-torn state.
Here are the top developments in the recent crisis of the northeastern state
Businesses closed; locals asked to stay put

In Manipur's Kuki-dominated areas in Churachandpur and Tengnoupal, protestors burnt tyres and blocked roads with boulders. The roads were, however, cleared later by the security forces.
Meanwhile, shops and other business establishments remained closed and few vehicles were seen plying the roads in Kuki-dominated areas in the state. Protestors also asked locals to remain indoors.
Additional security forces have been deployed in Gamghiphai and other parts of the district along the NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur Road) and vehicular patrolling was being conducted to ensure law and order, a district official said.
Large cache of arms seized
The state police recovered weapons, ammunition, explosives, and various military-grade equipment during security force operations on March 7.
Manipur Police in a press release shared the details, "Search operations and area domination were conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley Districts."
"One SMG Carbine with one empty Magazine, One Single Bolt Action Rifle, One .303 modified Rifle, One local made Single Barrel, One .22 Rifle, two Revolver cartridge box containing 12 live round each, five of .36 HE grenade Indian made, One

Walkie Talkie

wireless set, one Chinese grenade, one MK 2 Grenade, One Tube Launching IA, 14

Tear Smoke Shell

, One 38 mm cartridge Anti-Riot with Rubber bullet, One Smoke Shell (Chilli), one Stun Shell (Normal), One Bullet Proof Helmet, two Rice bags, one Cotton cloth mix colour (red and white), four black polythene from Sekmaijin Hangul under Hiyanglam-PS, Kakching District on March 07," Manipur police said in a statement.
"Two 81mm country made Pumpi motor, two 51 mm country made Pumpi Gun, two country made motor bomb, nine INSAS empty case, seven SLR-empty case, two SBBL-empty case, Cortex wire -8m, one Baofeng set (unserviceable), Telescopic sight with cover from general area of Thawai Kuki village under Litan-PS, Ukhrul District," it added.
Kuki outfit imposes shutdown
On Saturday, the Kuki Zo council imposed a shutdown and called upon the Centre to "reconsider its stance to avoid further escalation of tension".
"It is crucial for the central government to address the underlying issues to prevent further unrest and protect public safety. The Kuki-Zo Council urges the government to reconsider its stance to avoid further escalation of tension and violent confrontation," it said.
"We cannot guarantee free movement of Meiteis across buffer zones and cannot take responsibility for any untoward incidents," it added.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), a Kuki-Zo body, extended support to the indefinite shutdown called by Kuki Zo Council (KZC) in all areas inhabited by the community in Manipur to protest the crackdown of security forces on demonstrators protesting free movement along all roads in the ethnic strife-torn state.
In a statement, ITLF 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 used excessive force on the protesters."
Endorsing the indefinite shutdown called in all Kuki-Zo areas, ITLF asked everyone to "adhere to the shutdown in solidarity".
"We respect everyone who came out to protest yesterday," the ITLF said.
Manipur Police, in a statement, said 27 security personnel were injured in the attacks by the Kuki protesters who pelted them with stones, and barricaded roads by putting up huge boulders, setting tyres on fire and felling trees.
"Amid the protests, there were incidents of firing from amongst the protesters towards the security forces, to which the security forces retaliated," the statement said.
"Due to heavy pelting of stones, use of catapults and random firing by armed miscreants from amongst the protesters, 27 security forces personnel suffered injuries, including two critical injuries," it said.
"The security forces showed tremendous restraint while trying to control the unruly and violent mob and used minimum force to control and counter the anti-social elements. During the skirmish, 16 protesters were reportedly injured and one protester succumbed to injuries," it said.
Protests against Amit Shah's 'free movement' directive
Security forces clashed with the protestors opposing Amit Shah's "free movement" directive and march by the Federation of Civil Society (FOCS), a Meitei body. The demonstrators set fire to several private vehicles while attempting to block a state transport bus traveling from Imphal to Senapati district. They also burned tyres along NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur highway) and gathered on the roads to obstruct the movement of state government vehicles.
"We are just following orders. We have been told to stop the march. If they want to go, they can go in the state buses arranged by the government," a policeman said.
7 members of banned outfits in Manipur held
Police arrested seven members of four banned outfits in separate operations, officials informed. This comes a day after two cadres of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (PWG) were apprehended in Lamphel, Imphal West district, while another member of the same outfit was caught near the gate of Bir Tikendrajit international airport, a senior officer reported.
The arrested individuals were identified as Moirangthem Jiban Singh (27), Laishram Tiken Singh (40), and

Thoudam Premkumar

Singh (38). Authorities also recovered Rs 50,000 from those held in Lamphel. "These members of the militant group have been identified as Keisham Naocha alias Ningsingba (38) and Ningthoujam Sanjoy (18) and handed over to the local police for necessary legal actions," an officer said. Additionally, on Thursday, security forces arrested two members of the banned Kanglei Yaol Kanna Lup (KYKL) near the Lokchao River along the India-Myanmar border in Tengnoupal district.
How Manipur spiraled back to violence?
According to the police, fra esh spell of violence began when a Manipur State Transport bus, traveling along the Imphal-Kangpokpi-Senapati route, was targeted by a mob at Gamgiphai in Kangpokpi district. The crowd started pelting the vehicle with stones, prompting security forces to deploy tear gas and use minimal force to disperse the protesters.
The protest was also directed against a peace march organized by the Federation of Civil Society (FOCS), a Meitei organization. The procession, which involved over 10 vehicles, was stopped by security forces at Sekmai before it could reach Kangpokpi district. Police stated that the procession was halted because the organizers did not have the necessary permission.
On March 1, Union home minister Amit Shah had instructed security forces to ensure free movement of people across all routes in Manipur starting from March 8. He also emphasized that strict action should be taken against those obstructing this movement.
This directive was particularly significant, as uninterrupted travel throughout the state had been severely impacted since ethnic violence erupted between two communities in May 2023. The violence resulted in the deaths of over 250 people and displaced thousands.
On February 13, the Centre imposed President's rule in Manipur following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, which led to political instability in the northeastern state.
The Manipur Assembly, which is set to serve until 2027, has been put under suspended animation, as confirmed by a notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
On February 20, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla urged the people of the state to voluntarily surrender looted and illegally held weapons within seven days, assuring that no punitive action would be taken against those who returned arms during this period. The deadline was later extended until 4 p.m. on March 6, in response to demands from people in both hill and valley areas for more time.