The Imphal-Dimapur highway witnessed widespread unrest as Kuki-Zo protesters confronted security forces, denouncing what they see as a Meitei-dominated attempt to assert supremacy under the guise of peace.
BY PC Bureau
On the first day of Home Minister Amit Shah’s directive for free movement across Manipur’s highways, the state was thrown into turmoil. Hundreds of Kuki-Zo women protesters gathered at Gamgiphai, on the border of Kangpokpi, blocking the roads in defiance. Security forces responded with force, lathi-charging demonstrators and injuring several women.
“On International Women’s Day, Kuki women faced brutal violence at Gamgiphai, Kangpokpi District. Male security forces mercilessly assaulted peaceful protesters while women forces stood by. Peace can never be achieved by force,” posted Alice Ngaipihing (@haokip_alice) on social media.
Despite heavy security deployment and armed escorts for travelers, no one came forward to use the services. The first vehicle arriving at Kangvai remained empty, reflecting widespread fear and apprehension.
Along the Imphal-Dimapur highway, which cuts through Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi, hundreds of women gathered to stop state-run buses and oppose the “peace march” announced by a coalition of Meitei groups. Holding tricolors, they confronted security forces, pelting stones at buses while shouting slogans. Security personnel used lathicharge to push them back, but tensions remained high.
Elsewhere, enraged women protestors set fire to a couple of abandoned vehicles and also piled up stone on the highways.
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Meanwhile, the Meitei Heritage Society called for a crackdown on “heavily armed so-called Chin-Kuki volunteers”, alleging they were blocking highways illegally and threatening civilians. “National highways are the lifeline of all communities in landlocked Manipur. We must uproot the warlords backing these groups for their vested interests,” the group declared.
On International Women’s Day, Kuki women faced brutal violence at Gamgiphai, Kangpokpi District. Male security forces mercilessly assaulted peaceful protesters while women forces stood by.
Peace can never be achieved by Force. #StopViolence #Manipur pic.twitter.com/UUPpfNrBJO— Alice Ngaipilhing (@haokip_alice) March 8, 2025
Kuki-Zo leaders, however, saw the Meitei-led “March to Hills” as an assertion of #MeiteiSupremacy rather than a genuine peace effort. They pointed to past incidents—Meira Paibi leader Noutuneshwari’s march into Kuki territory in August 2023, and the COCOMI-led march into Kangvai in September 2023, both of which led to violence. Now, with the Federation of Civil Society (FOCS) pushing another march, fears of escalation are mounting, especially under presidential rule. The Kuki-Zo community has urged the Governor to intervene to prevent further clashes.
Despite resistance, the state has launched bus services under armed security escort, attempting to restore normalcy. However, uncertainty lingers over how many will actually use these services. Kuki organizations have condemned the move, citing security risks and accusing the government of ignoring the region’s volatility. They have warned that forcing state buses through contested areas without prior negotiations could spark more violence.
Security forces in Manipur in full swing adhering to the wishes of the Ruling Meitei dominants while not sparing a single thought before brutally assaulting Kuki women.
This is happening right now as we all celebrate International Women’s Day.#ManipurConflict#WomensDay pic.twitter.com/w8WgnyQ9Lv— B. Khuongsai (@BKhuongsai87) March 8, 2025
Ignoring these warnings, the government has scheduled buses under CAPF protection, covering routes such as Imphal-Kangpokpi-Senapati, Senapati-Kangpokpi-Imphal, Imphal-Bishnupur-Churachandpur, and Churachandpur-Bishnupur-Imphal. Helicopter services between Imphal, Churachandpur, and Ukhrul will also operate twice a week under the Manipur Heli Service.
In a March 7 press release, the Kuki-Zo Council acknowledged the Ministry of Home Affairs’ efforts to resume the flow of essential commodities but insisted that passenger movement should only begin after a formal ‘Cessation of Hostilities’ agreement between Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. They called for gradual buffer zone crossings, ensuring constitutional safeguards for Kuki-Zo citizens before opening unrestricted travel.
With Manipur on edge, the government’s push for normalcy risks worsening the crisis unless a negotiated solution is reached. Whether the administration’s forceful measures will succeed or lead to further unrest remains to be seen.
