Emergency shutdown called by Kuki forum as ongoing firing in Manipur kills 4

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), an organisation representing the Kuki-Zo community, issued a call for an emergency shutdown in Manipur’s Churachandpur effective immediately, as the death toll from the ongoing gunfire since August 29 has risen to four.

ITLF, declaring this demand, exempted essential services like water and medical supply from the shutdown.

The gunfire, which has been ongoing at the border of the Kuki-dominated Churachandpur and Meitei-dominated Bishnupur districts, has led to the death of two more individuals. Both victims sustained bomb splinter injuries and passed away in the last two hours.

Fresh violence in Manipur kills 2 more

One of the deceased has been identified as LS Mangboi, a local songwriter renowned for his song ‘I gam hilo ham’ (Isn’t this our land?), which gained popularity during the ongoing conflict. The other victim, Richard Hemkholin Guite, reportedly a village defence volunteer, succumbed to injuries in the Churachandpur district.

Previously on August 29, Jangminlun Gangte and Laibungjam Inao lost their lives in Churachandpur and Bishnupur respectively in the ongoing gunfire exchange.

After heavy gun battles, a period of relative calm followed since Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, security operations conducted searches in Kangpokpi, Thoubal, Churachandpur, and Imphal-West districts, resulting in the recovery of arms, ammunition, and explosives.

More than 160 people have lost their lives amid the ethnic violence that broke out in Manipur on May 3.