Guwahati:Accusing three Kuki-Zo-Hmar legislators of betraying the community’s demand and joining a new govt, thousands of protesters across Manipur’s three hill districts took to the streets on Friday as a strike in the roiled region took hold.
In Churachandpur, effigies of the three were set ablaze during a rally jointly organised by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) and the Women Wing of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF).
As men, women and youths in colourful attire marched across the streets, newly sworn-in minister Govindas Konthoujam, acknowledged “disturbances” in Churachandpur but insisted the situation was under control.
“They are expressing anger and discontent. Security arrangements are there. Many are peace-loving people who want normalcy to return. Things will improve gradually,” he said.
Chief minister Y Khemchand Singh urged all sections of society to remain calm and refrain from violence, as protests swept through Kuki-majority districts against the participation of community MLAs in the formation of the new govt.
Singh, sworn in as the state’s 13th CM on Wednesday, made the appeal after chairing a cabinet meeting at the CM secretariat on Friday to review the volatile situation. The meeting focused on measures to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of elected representatives amid mounting anger in the hills.
Demonstrators marched for 3km from Koite playground to the Wall of Remembrance, in Churchandpur, raising slogans against Kipgen and demanding her resignation, while reiterating their call for a separate administrative unit.
Security was tightened at the residences of the three legislators — deputy chief minister Nemcha Kipgen and MLAs LM Khaute and N Sanate in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Pherzawl districts respectively.
The total shutdown called by the Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) and the Joint Forum of Seven (JF7) was briefly relaxed in Churchandpur to allow the rallies to pass.
Strike supporters, some wielding sticks, blocked traffic in parts of the district headquarters, with the shutdown most visible in Tuibong. Officials confirmed that additional security forces were deployed at strategic points as the situation remained tense.
The district came to a halt as markets shuttered, vehicles off the roads, and attendance at schools, colleges, and govt offices reduced to a trickle. Similar rallies condemning the MLAs were held in Saikul (Kangpokpi district) and Moreh (Tengnoupal district).
The Kuki Zo Council (KZC) had earlier declared that the MLAs violated the January 13 Lungthu Resolution, which stipulated that community representatives would join government formation only if there was a written assurance from the Centre and state for a Union Territory with a legislature.
A post by a group offering rewards for killing the three Kuki-Zo MLAs has gone viral on social media. When asked about it, chief minister Y Khemchand said, “No one has reported to me about this. I will speak with the DGP.” He added that the MLAs already have security arrangements in place.
In contrast, the Indigenous Tribes Advocacy Committee (ITAC) of Pherzawl and Jiribam districts has issued a stern warning that any attempt to intimidate, threaten, or harm MLA Sanate, or vandalize his properties, will be treated as an affront to the collective stand of tribal people in the two districts.
In a statement, the committee stressed that it supports the interests of the Hmar, Kuki and Zomi tribes of Manipur and cautioned that recent political developments should not be allowed to sow animosity among the three communities.
Manipur has been reeling from ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis since May 2023, which claimed over 260 lives and led to President’s Rule in February 2025. On Wednesday, BJP MLA Yumnam Khemchand Singh was sworn in as the state’s 13th chief minister after the Centre revoked President’s Rule. Kipgen and NPF legislator L Dikho took oath as deputy chief ministers.
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