Normal life in Churachandpur district has been severely disrupted following a total shutdown enforced by two tribal bodies in response to the involvement of a Kuki-Zo MLA in government formation activities. Beginning Friday morning, bandh supporters utilized sticks to halt vehicles in various parts of the district headquarters, effectively closing markets and reducing attendance at educational and government offices. The Kuki Students Organisation’s Churachandpur unit initiated a 24-hour shutdown starting at midnight on Friday, while another group, the Joint Forum of Seven (JF7), conducted a separate shutdown in Kuki-Zo areas from 6 am to 6 pm. The most pronounced impact of the shutdown was observed in the Tuibong area of the district’s town, where tensions remained high, prompting the deployment of additional security personnel at key locations. Concurrently, the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) announced plans to organize a public rally on Friday afternoon to contest the participation of Kuki-Zo MLAs in government formation, highlighting the organization’s intent to represent the unified view of Kuki women against the political changes they find objectionable. Earlier, on Thursday night, tensions escalated into clashes between security forces and a mob near Tuibong forest gate, resulting in baton charges and the use of tear gas to disperse stone-pelting demonstrators, with violence extending until 3 am on Friday.
Imphal