Three-day Naga shutdown paralyses Manipur hill districts amid valley unrest

Guwahati: While normal life in valley districts already paralysed in Manipur, a three-day total shutdown called by Naga civil bodies paralysed normal life across several hill districts of Manipur on Tuesday, with widespread enforcement through highway blockades, protests, and restrictions on movement.

The protestors forced the chief minister Y Khemchand Singh to travel 26-kilometre distance by helicopter. There was a protest in Wangjing against the chief minister’s visit.

Manipur police stated in X, “During the Chief Minister’s visit, a large group of individuals armed with stones and catapults advanced toward the function site with apparent intent to vandalize the newly constructed BDO office. Despite repeated warnings and appeals by police personnel to disperse, the crowd continued to move aggressively, posing a serious threat to public property, dignitaries present, and overall law and order.


In view of the escalating situation, minimum necessary force was applied. As a last resort, controlled firing was undertaken in strict adherence to established protocols to disperse the mob and neutralize the threat. During the course of this action, one individual who was part of the violent mob, Elangbam Nandbir Singh (40), resident of Heirok Part 2 Elangbam Leirak and currently serving as VDF SPO A-Coy, sustained an injury.The situation was subsequently brought under control, preventing further damage and ensuring the safety of all concerned”.

Singh stated in X, “Privileged to inaugurate the Block Development Office at Wangjing Tentha CD Block, Thoubal, in the presence of A. Sharda Devi & MLAs. A key step towards stronger grassroots administration, enhanced transparency, and efficient service delivery. Committed to responsive, people-centric governance.”

In another post in X, Sing stated, “Called on by Puneet Rastogi, IPS, ADG (HQ), Border Security Force, today at the Secretariat. Discussed the evolving situation along the Indo–Myanmar border and the need for a coordinated response. Reaffirmed full support to BSF in strengthening border security and maintaining stability.”

The shutdown called by United Naga Council (UNC), Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), and Naga People’s Organisation (NPO), saw strict compliance across Naga-inhabited areas.

A senior police official stated, “At Noney (Longmai) along National Highway-37, volunteers blocked roads and turned back vehicles to enforce the bandh. Similar scenes were reported from Kanglatombi, where protesters staged demonstrations and displayed placards.”

The organisations advised residents to avoid non-essential travel as volunteers monitored vehicular movement.

The shutdown was called in response to the killing of two civilians—an ex-Army personnel and another individual who were shot dead by unidentified gunmen along NH-202 in Ukhrul district on April 18. The incident has triggered widespread outrage across Naga-inhabited areas.

Already the indefinite shutdown in valley districts has entered the third day. Several valley based organisations have called for bandh seeking strict action against people responsible for a bomb attack in Bishnupur district that killed two minors on April 7.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that while he faces no hurdles in travelling to hill districts, he was surprised to see opposition to his visit in Thoubal district of the valley. “I recently visited many hill districts and there was no opposition to my visit there. But, I am surprised by the protest in Thoubal district against my visit,” he said. He continued that any differences can be sorted out by sitting together. All solutions come after talks between the parties involved, he added.

Singh recalled the recent tragic incident at Tronglaobi in Bishnupur district, as the most heart-wrenching incident. He reiterated that the Government had already met the Joint Action Committee of the victims twice along with Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam and assured the JAC that their demands would be fulfilled. On top of that, the Government is also considering arranging suitable jobs in the State Government for the parents of the victims. He asserted that the terms set by the Government were not a bargain. They were a positive gesture from the Government’s side in the hope that the parents, who are staying separately, could be soothed a little, he said.

Expressing strong resentment over the ongoing five-day total shutdown called by a group of the JAC the Chief Minister said that such unwarranted and senseless activities create confusion among the general public, and sometimes the Government feels sorry for such a situation.