Shutdowns Disrupt Normal Life Across Manipur After Killings
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Imphal
- May 14, 2026
- 384
Normal life was severely affected in several districts of Manipur on Thursday, May 14, following shutdowns called by Kuki Zo and Naga organisations over the killing of three church leaders and a civilian in separate incidents a day earlier.
Transportation, businesses and public services were disrupted as protest actions spread across multiple districts.
Attendance in government offices remained low, while educational institutions stayed closed in the most affected districts, including Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Chandel.
Markets remained largely shut, and public transport services were minimal as community organisations enforced the bandh in protest against the recent killings.
The situation was most intense in Kangpokpi district, where the Kuki Inpi Manipur announced a 48-hour shutdown starting from Thursday midnight.
The organisation strongly condemned the killing of three Thadou church leaders near Kotlen village on Wednesday morning and demanded immediate justice for the victims.
Demonstrators also halted vehicular movement and forced the closure of business establishments along National Highway-2, an important route linking Imphal with Dimapur.
The blockade on the highway disrupted the movement of passenger and goods vehicles passing through the district.
Tension further intensified in Churachandpur district after the Zomi Students' Federation-General Headquarters announced an indefinite shutdown in town areas from Wednesday evening.
As a result, shops and commercial establishments remained closed, while roads appeared deserted throughout the day.
At the same time, the Chandel Naga People's Organisation enforced another shutdown in Chandel district after a Naga man was killed in neighbouring Noney district on Wednesday evening.
Reports said Wilson Thanga and his wife were travelling back to their residence in Dolang village when suspected militants attacked their vehicle.
Wilson Thanga died at the scene, while his wife suffered injuries in the attack.
The latest violence has deepened the ongoing crisis in Manipur, where ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities since May 2023 have claimed at least 260 lives and forced thousands of people to flee their homes.