Imphal, February 7: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has called on all sections of society to maintain peace and harmony. This appeal comes amid ongoing protests in the state’s predominantly Kuki-Zo tribal districts, where violence has been a concern.
Several Kuki-Zo organizations have staged protests in Churachandpur and other hill districts against the participation of their community’s legislators in the state government formation.
The Chief Minister made this appeal after chairing a cabinet meeting at the Civil Secretariat, where he reviewed the current situation, particularly in Churachandpur district.
On the social media platform ‘X’, CM Singh stated, “I chaired a review meeting with honorable ministers and senior officials to assess the current situation and make necessary decisions to prevent unrest. I urge everyone to maintain peace and act according to the Constitution.”
Officials reported that normal life in Churachandpur was severely disrupted on Friday as various tribal organizations observed a 24-hour complete shutdown in protest against the inclusion of Kuki-Zo legislators in the government formation process.
Protests were also held in Tengnoupal and other hill districts of the state.
A police officer in Imphal reported that protesters, some armed with sticks, blocked vehicles at multiple locations in the Churachandpur district headquarters. Government and private offices, shops, markets, banks, and educational institutions remained closed, while vehicle movement was largely suspended.
The shutdown was called by the Kuki Students Organization (KSO), Kuki Women Organization for Human Rights (KWOHR), Joint Forum of Seven (JF7), and several other Kuki-Zo tribal organizations. The situation remained tense, prompting the deployment of additional security forces in Churachandpur and other hill districts.
KSO and KWOHR also organized a large protest rally on Friday afternoon against the participation of Kuki-Zo legislators in the government formation process.
On Thursday, clashes occurred between crowds and security forces in Tuibong Market and Forest Gate areas, leading security personnel to use batons and tear gas to disperse the crowd. At least five people were injured in the clashes. To prevent further escalation, additional security forces were deployed in the affected areas, with sporadic clashes continuing until around 3 AM on Friday.
Officials noted that senior security officers arrived in the area to oversee efforts to restore normalcy. Tension has been present in Churachandpur district since Wednesday evening (February 4), when Nemcha Kipgen, a resident of Kangpokpi district, was sworn in virtually as Deputy Chief Minister from Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi. Kipgen is the only female minister in the cabinet led by Yumnam Khemchand Singh.
So far, three of the ten Kuki-Zo legislators—Nemcha Kipgen, L.M. Khoute, and Ngursanglur Sanate—have participated in the government formation process.
Out of the ten Kuki-Zo legislators, seven belong to the BJP, while the remaining three are affiliated with local Kuki-Zo organizations. Kipgen, Khoute, and Sanate also participated virtually in the seventh session of the 12th Manipur Assembly on Thursday.
