Manipur: Kuki-Zo tribal apex body calls for indefinite shutdown against resumption of bus service

Guwahati: The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex body of Kuki-Zo tribals in Manipur, called an indefinite shutdown across all Kuki-Zo tribal inhabited areas from Saturday midnight against the resumption of the bus services and Meitei community people’s march towards hill areas.

The KZC in a statement said that during the movement of buses from Imphal to tribal-dominated districts, violent confrontations have erupted in numerous locations between security forces escorting the vehicles and the protesters.

It said that this alarming situation has led to the death of Lalgun Singsit and a significant number of people injured among women participating in the “demonstrations”.


“At least one individual has been confirmed dead from gunfire by security forces while two others are hospitalized in critical condition, raising significant concerns about the use of force in this context. Moreover, over 50 women have suffered serious injuries, highlighting security forces' excesses in the community. The security personnel employed forceful measures, which has only intensified the protesters' resolve,” the KZC said.

Meanwhile, at least two state transport buses were attacked in tribal-inhabited Kangpokpi and another place in Manipur on Saturday post resumption of inter-district bus services from Imphal to hill districts after over 20 months, officials said in Imphal.

A police official in Imphal said that though the buses were escorted by the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), activists of the tribal organisations attacked the buses including one Senapati district-bound vehicle in Kangpokpi.