Violent Clashes Erupt in Manipur as Protests Against Free Movement Lead to One Death and 40 Injuries

Agencies, March 9, 2025, Kolkata :  In Manipur's Kangpokpi district, a violent confrontation unfolded on Saturday, resulting in one death and over 40 injuries as local Kuki-Zo protesters clashed with central armed police forces (CAPF). The unrest stemmed from the government’s attempt to enforce free movement on national highways, an initiative following a March 1 directive by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The roads in question had been blocked since ethnic violence erupted in the state on May 3, 2023.

Protesters opposed the free movement policy, which led to the blocking of roads and the throwing of stones at security personnel. According to police reports, the violence intensified when armed miscreants among the protesters used catapults and fired at security forces. “Around 16 people and 27 security personnel were injured,” a police spokesperson stated, adding that the violence was exacerbated by stone pelting and random gunfire from some protesters.

The clashes primarily occurred at Gamgiphai, located on the Imphal-Kangpokpi-Senapati route, where Kuki protesters halted a Manipur State Transport bus by felling trees and throwing large boulders on the road. This was the first major incident following the government's attempt to re-establish road movement on highways that had been blocked for months due to ongoing ethnic tensions.

The situation in the district remained tense through the weekend, with an indefinite shutdown called by Kuki-Zo groups in protest of the security crackdown. The shutdown affected daily life across areas predominantly inhabited by the Kuki-Zo community, further deepening the ethnic strife in the state.

As the violence continued late into Saturday night, security forces responded with tear gas, and there were reports of injuries on both sides. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), a Kuki-Zo organization, supported the shutdown and accused the government of using excessive force. The ITLF also expressed solidarity with those protesting the government’s actions.

Police reports indicated that the confrontation was triggered when the Kuki-Zo protesters targeted a bus, which had resumed service on the Imphal-Kangpokpi-Senapati route, a significant route that had been previously blocked. The incident escalated when security forces attempted to disperse the crowd using minimum force, which included tear gas and a show of restraint despite the aggressive nature of the protests.

The state police further reported that during the protests, some armed miscreants fired at the security forces, prompting retaliatory action. A total of 27 security personnel were injured, including two critically, while 16 protesters sustained injuries, and one protester was killed. This represents a marked escalation of the violence that has plagued Manipur since the onset of ethnic tensions nearly two years ago.

The violence was also directed against a peace march organized by the Federation of Civil Society (FOCS), a Meitei organization. Security forces intervened before the procession could reach the Kangpokpi district, citing a lack of necessary permits for the march.

The unrest and violence come on the heels of a directive from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on March 1, mandating the free movement of all vehicles on highways throughout the state. The directive, which came after a prolonged period of ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, aims to restore normalcy but has faced resistance from various groups in the region.

The violence in the state remains a deeply concerning issue, with over 250 people killed and thousands displaced since the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023. In response to the ongoing unrest, the central government imposed President's rule in Manipur on February 13, following political instability marked by the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

As tensions continue to simmer, the region remains under heavy security, with authorities working to manage the growing unrest. However, with the indefinite shutdown still in effect and protests ongoing, it remains to be seen whether the situation in Manipur can be stabilized in the near future.