From Our Correspondent
Imphal, Nov 5: Four days. No shops. No schools. No trucks. No justice.
Kangpokpi district remained paralysed on Thursday as the shutdown over the killing of two Kuki youths entered its fourth consecutive day.
Markets, business establishments and educational institutions stayed closed. Roads wore a deserted look. Goods-laden trucks heading to Imphal on NH-2 remained stranded in neighbouring Senapati district, unable to enter Kangpokpi.
Extra security forces have been deployed across the mountainous district to keep peace.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) had called the shutdown after the bodies of two missing Kuki youths were found on November 1.
Tinginlun Chongloi, 21, and Paoginlal Hangshing, 20, had gone missing on October 28. Their bodies were recovered after massive joint searches by Manipur Police, CRPF, CoBRA, RAF and Assam Rifles. They were allegedly abducted by unidentified miscreants.
What began as a 24-hour shutdown on November 1 was extended by 48 hours on Monday, and again extended beyond Wednesday 5 p.m.
CoTU says the government has failed to take “decisive and concrete action” and the Kuki-Zo people will not accept “empty assurances and administrative excuses in place of justice.”
It has warned that if justice is not delivered within the extended period, the protest will intensify — and the government alone will be responsible if the situation deteriorates.
The killings have deepened tension in an already volatile state. Since February this year, more than 50 people have reportedly been killed and dozens of houses torched in Naga-Kuki-Zo clashes across Ukhrul, Kamjong, Kangpokpi, Tamenglong, Noney and parts of Senapati.
For now, Kangpokpi waits — shut down, and still waiting for justice.
