Manipur Faces Disruption Amid Ongoing Shutdown Following Tragic Incident
Shutdown in Manipur: A Response to Tragedy
Shutters down and streets deserted across Imphal Valley under the five-day shutdown (Photo: AT)
Imphal, April 19: The government of Manipur has labeled the ongoing five-day shutdown, initiated in response to the deaths of two young children from a suspected mortar explosion in Bishnupur district, as “extremely unfortunate.” Officials noted that this shutdown has significantly disrupted daily life throughout the state.
During a press briefing at the Chief Minister’s residence, Home Minister K. Govindas Singh expressed concern over the shutdown's impact on essential services, agricultural activities, and educational institutions.
He appealed to community organizations to reflect on the broader public inconvenience caused by the extended closure.
Additionally, the minister announced that the state would offer employment opportunities to the families of the deceased and assured that justice would be pursued.
Meanwhile, the shutdown, organized by women’s groups including the Meira Paibis, continued to disrupt normalcy in the Imphal Valley on Sunday.
Markets remained closed, and transportation services were completely halted as public outrage over the killings in Moirang persisted.
All three Ima Keithel (women’s markets) were shut down, and major commercial areas such as Paona International Market, Thangal Bazar, Alu Gali, M.G. Avenue, and Masjid Road were left deserted.
The shutdown has particularly affected daily wage workers and small businesses.
“We recognize that this is for a significant cause, but daily wage earners are the most impacted,” stated Thoiba, a laborer.
Public transport, including auto-rickshaws and inter-district buses, remained off the roads.
Shops and businesses stayed closed, exacerbating the disruption. Educational institutions, including schools and colleges, have been closed since April 7 due to the Tronglaobi incident.
A small business owner, Dayanidhi, remarked, “Whenever shutdowns occur, small businesses suffer the most. Both government-imposed curfews and public shutdowns affect us equally.”
Other markets, such as Singjamei Supermarket, Hatta Market, and Lamlong Market, also remained closed, highlighting the widespread impact across the valley.
This shutdown follows extensive protests on Saturday night, where many defied curfews to participate in torch rallies in Sagolband, Imphal West district.
Protests staged by women’s groups, including the Meira Paibis on Saturday night (Photo: AT)
Reports indicate that the rally commenced at Tera Bazar but was halted by security forces before reaching Overbridge Junction.
Police deployed tear gas and mock bombs to disperse the crowd, resulting in clashes that left several individuals injured.
In a slight easing of the situation, mobile internet services, which had been suspended due to the unrest, have now been restored.
The protests and shutdown are a direct response to the tragic incident on April 7 at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai near Moirang, where a suspected mortar shell struck a civilian home, resulting in the deaths of two minors.