Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has officially declared a 48-hour extension of the ongoing shutdown across all Kuki-Zo inhabited areas. This decision follows a collaborative meeting between the organization and various district-level civil society groups, with the new directive set to commence at midnight on May 19 immediately after the current phase expires.
Leadership within the organization indicated that the extension was necessary due to a lack of meaningful progress from authorities regarding urgent grievances. The initial protest was sparked by the tragic killing of three church leaders on May 13 and subsequent reports concerning the abduction of Kuki-Zo civilians, which have triggered widespread tension and protests throughout the hill districts.
The ongoing industrial action has caused significant disruptions to daily life, most notably within the Kangpokpi district. Local markets remain shuttered and vehicular traffic has been substantially restricted across several locations. While the organization continues to emphasize the importance of public solidarity in addressing these security concerns, they have also issued a formal appeal to all residents to remain peaceful and cooperate fully throughout the duration of the shutdown.
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