Following the imposition of total shutdown for 48-hours in all Kuki-Zo dominated areas in Manipur by Kuki-Zo bodies, a public protest was also held at different locations in Kuki-Zo dominated Kangpokpi district against the deployment of state forces in Moreh.
All shops and business establishments and educational institutions in Kangpokpi district remained closed while the National Highway-2 wore a deserted look as vehicles stayed off the road except those exempted from the purview of the total shutdown imposed by KSO and CoTU.
Volunteers were seen enforcing the total shutdown and blocking the highway at various places.
The public protests organized by CoTU were held at Kangpokpi District Headquarters, Saparmeina and Gamgiphai where thousands, mostly womenfolk, took part in the protests.
CoTU spokesperson Lun Kipgen clarified that the protest was not against the Government of India but against the excessive use of executive powers by Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
He then urged the Prime Minister to instruct CM Biren to withdraw or remove the state forces who are in the Kuki-Zo dominated areas, especially from Moreh, which could be one solution.
Protest banners placards read, “We want immediate withdrawal of partisan forces”, “The ill-design of N Biren Singh costs innocent lives”, “Meitei insurgents are incorporated in the state forces”, “Six months of unrest, where is peace?”, “Double Engine or Humanity?”, etc.
