Manipur’s hill districts witnessed a total shutdown on the second anniversary of the 2023 violence, with Kuki-Zo communities holding memorial events and reiterating their call for a separate administration. The shutdown, mirroring a similar action in the valley, underscores the lack of reconciliation and the solidified positions of the warring communities.
BY PC Bureau
A complete shutdown paralyzed Manipur’s Kuki-Zo-dominated hill districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, and Pherzawl on Saturday, May 3, 2025, as the state observed the second anniversary of the ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023. The shutdown, called by the Zomi Students’ Federation (ZSF) and Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), brought normal life to a standstill, with markets shuttered, public transport halted, and educational institutions closed. The Kuki-Zo community observed the day as “Separation Day,” holding memorial events to honor victims of the conflict that has claimed over 260 lives and displaced more than 70,000 people.
The shutdown in the hills coincided with a parallel shutdown in the Meitei-dominated valley, called by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), highlighting the stark divide between the two communities.
In Churachandpur, thousands gathered at the “Wall of Remembrance” in Tuibuong for a somber program starting at 11 a.m., featuring prayers, musical tributes, and speeches by tribal leaders. A second event at the Sehken Burial site, where some Kuki-Zo victims are buried, began at 2 p.m. The Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights distributed compensation to 127 victims’ families, reinforcing the community’s demand for a separate administrative arrangement. Black flags were hoisted across households as a symbol of mourning and solidarity, as urged by the ZSF and KSO in their joint statement: “May 3 marks the completion of two years since the outbreak of ethnic violence. We urge all to observe the day in silence by closing all educational institutions and business establishments.”
ALSO READ: Kuki-Zo Rally in Delhi with Pleas for Justice and Autonomy
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), a prominent Prone to Violence (IPV), described the day as a “day of reflection and remembrance for the victims of the ethnic conflict that has deeply impacted the Kuki-Zo communities.” The ITLF’s call for a separate administration echoed demands made since May 2023, with leaders arguing that coexistence with the Meitei community is no longer feasible after the violence. “The government may take our lives, but they can never take away our freedom and rights,” the ITLF stated, urging solidarity during the shutdown.
Security was heightened across Manipur, with police intensifying patrolling in the “buffer zone” between the valley and hills and conducting vehicle checks in vulnerable areas like Churachandpur and Kangpokpi. Central forces were deployed at sensitive spots, including Kangla Gate in Imphal, to prevent unrest. Despite the heavy security presence, no major incidents were reported, though tensions remained palpable. Emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, were allowed to pass during the shutdown, ensuring essential services were not disrupted.
#WATCH | Manipur: Joint Student Body calls a total shutdown in Churachandpur today as May 3 marks two years of the crisis in the state.
(Visuals from Churachandpur market) pic.twitter.com/uxDuOWBluX
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2025
The shutdown’s impact was profound, with arterial routes deserted and commercial activity halted. In Kangpokpi, where clashes in March 2025 left one protester dead and over 40 injured, security forces maintained a strong presence at Gamgiphai, a key entry point. The Kuki-Zo Council and ITLF had previously called indefinite shutdowns in response to such incidents, reflecting ongoing discontent with the Central government’s efforts to restore normalcy.
READ SEILEN HAOKIP ARTICLE: Manipur — Two Years on: A Federated Way Forward for Lasting Peace
The Kuki-Zo community’s observance of “Separation Day” contrasted sharply with events in the Imphal Valley, where COCOMI organized the “Manipur People’s Convention” at Khuman Lampak Stadium. The valley shutdown, also enforced on May 3, saw similar disruptions, with markets closed and public vehicles off the roads. COCOMI’s convention focused on demands for free movement, territorial integrity, and action against illegal immigration, with a candlelight march held in Imphal to honor victims. The divergent commemorations underscored the lack of reconciliation between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, with both sides reiterating entrenched positions.
Manipur’s prolonged conflict has taken a heavy toll, with educational institutions disrupted, businesses crippled, and sports teams, like the Eastern Sporting Union women’s football team, unable to compete. The influx of approximately 900 suspected Kuki militants from Myanmar has further complicated the security landscape, fueling Meitei accusations of narco-terrorism and Kuki-Zo fears of marginalization. Internet shutdowns, including a 200-day blackout in 2023, have exacerbated challenges, hindering access to healthcare, education, and government services.
As Manipur marked this grim anniversary, voices like the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) called for unity, urging the state to observe May 3 as “Peace Day” to foster healing. “As we pray for peace, we honor the memory of those who have fallen and extend empathy to survivors,” TIM stated. However, with 21 BJP-led MLAs recently demanding a “popular government” to replace President’s Rule, which they claim has failed to restore peace, the path to reconciliation remains fraught.
ALSO READ: COCOMI’s Convention Slams Centre’s Inaction on Manipur Crisis
The shutdown in Manipur’s hill districts on May 3, 2025, was a poignant reminder of the deep scars left by two years of ethnic violence. While the Kuki-Zo community mourned and reiterated their demand for separation, the absence of dialogue and the fortified ethnic divide cast a long shadow over hopes for peace. As security forces stood guard and black flags fluttered in the hills, Manipur’s quest for normalcy appeared as distant as ever.
