Massive Protests Sweep Manipur's Hill Districts Over Political Betrayal Allegations
In a dramatic display of public anger, thousands of protesters across Manipur's three hill districts took to the streets on Friday, accusing three Kuki-Zo-Hmar legislators of betraying the community's longstanding demand by joining the newly formed government. The protests unfolded as a total shutdown gripped the already volatile region, with demonstrators expressing deep-seated discontent over the political developments.
Churachandpur: Epicenter of Anger and Symbolic Demonstrations
The town of Churachandpur became the focal point of the protests, where effigies of the three legislators were set ablaze during a rally jointly organized by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) and the Women Wing of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF). Men, women, and youths in colorful attire marched through the streets, creating a vivid tableau of dissent against what they perceive as political betrayal.
Newly sworn-in minister Govindas Konthoujam acknowledged the "disturbances" in Churachandpur but maintained that the situation remained under control. "They are expressing anger and discontent. Security arrangements are there. Many are peace-loving people who want normalcy to return. Things will improve gradually," he stated, attempting to project calm amid the turmoil.
Government Response and Security Measures
Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh, who was sworn in as Manipur's 13th chief minister on Wednesday, urgently appealed for calm and restraint from all sections of society. His appeal came after chairing a cabinet meeting at the CM secretariat on Friday to review the volatile situation. The meeting focused specifically on measures to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of elected representatives amid mounting anger in the hill districts.
Security was significantly tightened at the residences of the three legislators in question: Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and MLAs LM Khaute and N. Sanate, located in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Pherzawl districts respectively. Additional security forces were deployed at strategic points across the region as officials confirmed the situation remained tense.
Organized Protests and Shutdown Impact
The protests were meticulously organized, with demonstrators marching approximately 3 kilometers from Koite playground to the Wall of Remembrance in Churachandpur. Throughout the march, they raised slogans against Kipgen and demanded her resignation while reiterating their call for a separate administrative unit for their community.
The total shutdown called by the Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) and the Joint Forum of Seven (JF7) brought normal life to a standstill across the hill districts. Markets remained shuttered, vehicles disappeared from roads, and attendance at schools, colleges, and government offices reduced to a mere trickle. The shutdown was briefly relaxed in Churachandpur specifically to allow the protest rallies to proceed.
In Tuibong, strike supporters—some wielding sticks—blocked traffic in parts of the district headquarters, making the shutdown particularly visible. Similar rallies condemning the MLAs were simultaneously held in Saikul (Kangpokpi district) and Moreh (Tengnoupal district), indicating the widespread nature of the discontent.
Broader Political Context and Community Divisions
The protests stem from what the Kuki Zo Council (KZC) describes as a violation of the January 13 Lungthu Resolution. This resolution stipulated that community representatives would only join government formation if there was a written assurance from both the central and state governments for a Union Territory with a legislature. The three MLAs' decision to join the government without this assurance has been framed as a fundamental betrayal of community interests.
Adding to the tension, a social media post by an unidentified group offering rewards for killing the three Kuki-Zo MLAs went viral. When questioned about this alarming development, Chief Minister Y. Khemchand responded, "No one has reported to me about this. I will speak with the DGP." He added that the MLAs already have security arrangements in place, though the viral threat underscores the extreme emotions surrounding the political situation.
In contrast to the protests, the Indigenous Tribes Advocacy Committee (ITAC) of Pherzawl and Jiribam districts issued a stern warning that any attempt to intimidate, threaten, or harm MLA Sanate, or vandalize his properties, would be treated as an affront to the collective stand of tribal people in the two districts. The committee emphasized its support for the interests of the Hmar, Kuki, and Zomi tribes of Manipur and cautioned that recent political developments should not be allowed to sow animosity among the three communities.
Historical Context of Ethnic Tensions
These protests occur against the backdrop of ongoing ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis that has plagued Manipur since May 2023. The conflict has claimed over 260 lives and led to the imposition of President's Rule in February 2025. The current political crisis emerged when BJP MLA Yumnam Khemchand Singh was sworn in as the state's 13th chief minister on Wednesday after the Centre revoked President's Rule. Kipgen and NPF legislator L. Dikho took oath as deputy chief ministers, setting the stage for the current wave of protests.
The situation remains fluid, with community leaders, government officials, and security forces navigating complex political and ethnic tensions. As Manipur continues to grapple with the aftermath of prolonged violence, the integration of Kuki-Zo-Hmar legislators into the new government has become a flashpoint that threatens to further destabilize the fragile peace in the region.
