Violence Erupts Again In Manipur: Kuki Woman Dies Amid Firing In Churachandpur
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Imphal
- Jun 20, 2025
- 688
An elderly Kuki woman was killed in an encounter between security forces and unidentified assailants in Manipur's Churachandpur district on Thursday. Police said the woman was caught in the crossfire.
The incident took place when security forces launched a search operation. The operation was launched after a Meitei farmer working in the fields in Bishnupur district was shot. It was reported that the bullets were fired from the surrounding hills.
In fact, violence broke out in the state after the arrest of Meitei leader Ashem Kanan Singh on June 7. Vehicles were burnt in many areas of Imphal, tyres and old furniture were also burnt on the roads. Apart from clashes with the police, the protesters also tried to burn themselves by pouring petrol.
Ashem was arrested by the CBI. He was a head constable in the Manipur Police. He was suspended in March for being involved in criminal activities. He was a member of the Arambai Tangol (AT) and used to smuggle weapons across the border while in the police
The prices of essential commodities increased
After the violence in Manipur, due to highway blockage and disruption of transport routes, common people are facing inflation.
Especially in Churachandpur and the capital Imphal, there is a huge shortage of food items and medicines. The prices of essential commodities have increased.
Medicines are not even available in many violence-affected areas.
A local resident said - Now all things are coming via Mizoram, so they have become expensive. The situation is not the same as before.
Churachandpur is considered the stronghold of the Kuki community.
It is dependent on National Highways 2 and 37, which connect Assam and Nagaland to Manipur.
Now these routes are closed, due to which trucks have to take the longer route through Mizoram. This is increasing the transport cost.
Internet and mobile data services have been suspended in 5 districts. These include Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur.
Curfew has also been imposed in Imphal East and Bishnupur.
President's rule imposed from February 13
Manipur has been under President's rule since February 13, but the current assembly has not been dissolved.
It is only suspended. However, on April 30, 21 MLAs sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding immediate formation of a popular government in the state. 14 BJP MLAs have signed the letter.
After this, 10 NDA MLAs met Governor Ajay Bhalla at Imphal Raj Bhavan on May 28. One of these MLAs told Bhaskar, 'The structure of the new government has been discussed.'
Manipur has a population of about 38 lakhs. There are three major communities here - Meitei, Naga and Kuki. Meitei are mostly Hindus. Naga-Kuki follow Christianity. They come under the ST category.
Their population is about 50%. Imphal valley, spread over about 10% of the state's area, is dominated by the Meitei community.
The population of Naga-Kuki is about 34 percent. These people live in about 90% of the state's area.
How the dispute started: The Meitei community demands that they should also be given the status of a tribe.
The community filed a petition in the Manipur High Court for this. The community argued that Manipur merged with India in 1949.
Before that they had the status of a tribe. After this, the High Court recommended to the state government that the Meitei should be included in the Scheduled Tribe (ST).
What is the argument of the Meitei:
The Meitei tribe believes that years ago their kings called the Kukis from Myanmar to fight the war. After that they became permanent residents. These people cut the forests for employment and started cultivating opium.
Due to this, Manipur has become a triangle of drug smuggling. All this is happening openly. They formed an arms group to fight the Naga people.
Why Naga-Kuki are against it:
The other two tribes are against giving reservation to the Meitei community. They say that 40 out of 60 assembly seats in the state are already in the Meitei-dominated Imphal valley. In such a situation, if Meitei gets reservation in the ST category, their rights will be divided.
What are the political equations:
Out of 60 MLAs of Manipur, 40 MLAs are from Meitei and 20 MLAs are from Naga-Kuki tribe. So far, only two out of 12 CMs have been from tribes.