With blocked roads, burning vehicles, and rising tensions, the government’s push for normalcy in Manipur faces fierce resistance. Is force the answer?
BY PC Bureau
Manipur witnessed fresh violence on Saturday as protests against the reintroduction of free movement on highways escalated into deadly clashes between security forces and demonstrators in Kangpokpi district. One person was killed, and at least 25 others sustained injuries in the unrest that has further deepened tensions in the strife-torn state.
The deceased has been identified as Lalgouthang Singsit, 30, who suffered bullet injuries at Keithelmanbi and succumbed on the way to the hospital, police said. The clashes erupted in the Gamgiphai area when protesters, opposing the directive to restore unrestricted travel, blocked the Imphal-Senapati highway, burned tyres, and obstructed government vehicles.
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The free movement policy, announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah as a step toward restoring normalcy, sought to ease travel restrictions imposed since ethnic violence broke out between the Meitei and Kuki communities in May 2023. However, the decision has been met with strong opposition from Kuki-Zo resistance groups, who were not consulted before its implementation.
Heart wrenching videos coming from Manipur 💔
A complete breakdown of Law and Order
Uncontrolled Violence eruptionWithout comprehending the delicate situation, The Home Minister Amit Shah had ordered to open the roads in Manipur from today without addressing & resolving the… pic.twitter.com/0bZdnoaqiX
— Harmeet Kaur K (@iamharmeetK) March 8, 2025
Clashes Erupt Amid Tensions
According to police sources, tensions escalated when security forces attempted to disperse the demonstrators, who allegedly set fire to a vehicle and pelted stones. In response, authorities resorted to lathi charges and fired tear gas. Reports indicate that clashes took place in Gamgiphai, Motbung, and Keithelmanbi, with protesters sustaining varying degrees of injuries. The wounded have been admitted to nearby public health centers for treatment, with at least three in critical condition.
The unrest was also directed at a peace march organized by the Federation of Civil Society (FOCS), a Meitei group. The march, which involved over ten vehicles, was stopped by security forces at Sekmai before it could enter Kangpokpi district. Police stated that the march lacked official permission and had to be halted to prevent further confrontations.
You can’t FORCE Love
You can’t FORCE peace@anjalikdayal
Manipur’s current situation is but a crisis of consent from the locals who still struggles to trust the other warring locals.What is “free movement” when the guns that were looted/ allegedly given are still not back. pic.twitter.com/J5Qtw95xHH
— Rebecca Ṭhiek 🇮🇳 (@rebeccahmar_) March 8, 2025
A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, defended the security response. “We were trying to maintain order, but the situation spiraled quickly. The use of force was necessary to prevent further escalation,” the officer stated. However, he acknowledged that an investigation into the circumstances of Singsit’s death was underway.
MUST READ: Opinion: Not Bullets and Bayonets—Manipur Needs Justice and Accountability
Fragile Peace and Rising Unrest
Saturday’s violence highlights the fragile situation in Manipur, where over 258 lives have been lost since May 2023, according to state Security Adviser Kuldiep Singh. The ethnic divide between the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley and the Kuki-dominated hill districts remains a major flashpoint, with both communities expressing distrust toward government initiatives.
Local leaders have condemned the handling of the situation. A Kuki community spokesperson called it “a failure of the state to protect its people,” while a Meitei activist accused security forces of “heavy-handed tactics.” The Manipur government has yet to issue an official statement, but sources suggest that additional Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) may be deployed to stabilize the region.
Meanwhile, concerns are growing over how long empty buses will continue to ply Manipur’s highways under armed escort and how sustainable such an approach is. With tensions still high and the risk of violence persisting, many question whether the government can enforce peace through bullets and bayonets alone—or if genuine dialogue between both communities is the only path to lasting stability.
