Civilian Buses Resume in Manipur Amid Kuki Protests, Clashes Reported

Imphal- Civilian buses escorted by security forces resumed inter-district travel in Manipur today, despite strong protests by Kuki tribes demanding a separate administration. Security convoys, including mine-resistant vehicles, cleared blockades in Kangpokpi district, about 45 km from Imphal.

Several Kuki women attempting to obstruct the highway were injured in a lathi charge by security personnel. The Centre has ordered a complete removal of road blockades following the imposition of President’s Rule after the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

Clashes erupted in multiple Kuki-dominated regions, with protesters hurling stones, digging up roads, burning tyres, and erecting barricades. Some demonstrators verbally confronted security forces, demanding they retreat.

The ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities, which began in May 2023, has resulted in over 250 deaths and displaced nearly 50,000 people. The Kuki leadership, including militant groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, has insisted on a separate administration before normal movement can resume.

Meitei organizations have countered the demand, questioning why displaced individuals in relief camps face threats from Kuki groups when dialogue can continue alongside rehabilitation efforts. While Kuki-Zo factions cite the 2023 ethnic clashes as justification for their push for an autonomous council or Union Territory status, Meitei leaders argue that Kuki aspirations for ‘Kukiland’ date back decades.

The World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC), in a memorandum to Manipur’s new Governor on January 15, reiterated that the demand for a separate Kuki state has existed since 1946-47. Over the years, Kuki protests, conferences, and academic debates have kept this aspiration alive.

With tensions escalating, security measures have been intensified across the state to prevent further violence.