By Our Special Correspondent
Imphal (Manipur), April 20: Manipur came to a standstill Monday, caught in the crossfire of three separate shutdowns after back-to-back killings reignited fury in both the hills and the valley.
The Naga hills went silent first. After two Naga civilians — one a retired Indian Army soldier — were shot dead in Ukhrul on Saturday, the United Naga Council enforced a 72-hour total shutdown across all Naga areas from Sunday midnight to April 23. The UNC called it a response to “outrageous aggression” and “cold-blooded killing,” ordering every shop, school, office, and vehicle off the roads as both mourning and protest. Only emergency services are exempt.
In the Imphal valley, Meira Paibis barricaded roads over the April 7 killing of two children and the wounding of their mother in Bishnupur. Markets, courts, colleges and offices stayed empty. Police said 21 people were arrested for violence that broke out during a Saturday rally in Imphal West tied to the same case.
With highways deserted and towns shuttered, security forces are straddling two fronts: sealed hill routes and smoldering anger in the valley. Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh on Sunday appealed to civil society groups to lift the shutdowns, warning that normal life and public welfare are collapsing under the pressure.
For now, the only things moving in Manipur are ambulances and condolences.
