Manipur: Massive protest in Kangpokpi amid total shutdown on Kuki-Zo Remembrance Day

Imphal: A complete shutdown gripped Kangpokpi district in Manipur on Saturday as the Kuki-Zo community observed the 15th Remembrance Day.

The somber occasion was marked by a large-scale protest rally and memorial ceremonies, highlighting the ongoing security crisis in the region.

Organized by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), the apex Kuki-Zo body in the state's north, the protest drew a significant crowd to the district headquarters.

Demonstrators carried banners demanding the continued presence of the Assam Rifles in the hills, emphasizing their trust in the paramilitary force for maintaining peace.

CoTU spokesperson Ng. Lun Kipgen called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reverse the government's decision to withdraw the Assam Rifles from Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts.

The organization warned of intensified protests if the decision is not reconsidered, underscoring the community's reliance on the Assam Rifles for protection against ethnic violence.

The day concluded with a solemn tribute to Kuki-Zo lives lost in the ongoing conflict, which has claimed 226 lives, including Kukis and Meities, since its eruption on May 3, 2023.

While a total shutdown was enforced, essential services, including traffic on National Highway 102 connecting Imphal and Dimapur, were exempted.