Manipur: Free movement plan faces protests, 1 killed in clashes

In Manipur, the initiative of the Central Government on free movement across the state from Saturday faced protests along the National Highway-2 (Imphal-Dimapur Road), and one protestor succumbed to bullet injuries. It may be mentioned that the movement along National Highway 37 (Imphal-Jiribam Road) and National Highway 2 (Imphal-Dimapur Road) could not have taken place since the ethnic conflict in Manipur in May 2023. However, the Union Home Minister, during the security meeting held on 1st March 2025, in New Delhi, directed the high-ranking officials and security forces to take up all possible measures to resume free movement across the state from Saturday.
As directed, passenger buses destined for Churachandpur and Senapati districts along two national highways were flagged off from Imphal Airport in the morning. The police report said that while the buses and other vehicles reached Churachandpur without any obstacles along the highways, the buses bound for Senapati districts faced protests along National Highway 2. A large number of protesters blocked the road in the Gamgiphai and Keithelmanbi areas of the Kangpokpi district, demanding no free movement until a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo community. The protesters also burnt down a security force’s vehicle and vandalised other vehicles.

As per decision of the State Government dated 7th March, 2025 to arrange bus service by Manipur State Transport Buses under security escort to alleviate public inconveniences as an initiative towards bringing normalcy in the State from 8th March, 2025, Manipur State Transport Bus…

— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) March 8, 2025

The report said that security forces fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters who were blocking the road and vandalising public and private vehicles. One protester succumbed to injuries in the protest while dozens sustained minor injuries. Afterwards, the buses destined for Senapati crossed the demonstration area amidst tight security. Additional security measures have been taken in the sensitive areas to avoid further unwanted incidents.The police said allegations by the Kuki-Zo Council and the Kuki Students' Organisation that security forces were escorting local protesters are "totally baseless and false".
The Kuki-Zo Council (KAC), a newly formed group, in a statement called an indefinite shutdown in areas where the Kuki-Zo tribes are dominant. "The 'free movement' initiative of the government will be staunchly opposed until a political solution for the Kuki-Zo community is reached for lasting peace in the region. The KZC cannot guarantee free movement of Meiteis across buffer zones and cannot take responsibility for any untoward incidents," KZC chairman Henlianthang Thanglet said in the statement. While Kuki-Zo groups pointed at the ethnic clashes that began in May 2023 as the reason why they escalated their demand from an autonomous council to a separate administration, or a Union Territory with an assembly, Meitei leaders have pointed at decades-old evidence of Kuki groups working to form 'Kukiland' carved out of Manipur.