Shutdown cripples Manipur valley districts

Guwahati: Normal life was disrupted across Manipur's valley on Tuesday as a 48-hour shutdown called by a civil society organisation over the killing of three Meitei villagers led to closure of shops, markets, educational institutions, business establishments and government and private offices.

Public transport remained off the roads while members of Native People Committee Manipur, which called the shutdown, blocked roads and staged protests in parts of Imphal East and Imphal West. Three people were killed and three others injured when suspected militants opened fire on a group of villagers who had gone to collect firewood in Kangpokpi district on Monday, police said.

Police said no untoward incident had been reported in the shutdown-affected areas on Tuesday, despite protests along several national and state highways besides other locations.


Sources said three suspects involved in the shooting incident were arrested. A cache of arms and ammunition were recovered.