IMPHAL, Oct 21: A 48-hour shutdown called by the Native People’s Committee Manipur (NPCM) disrupted normal life across Manipur on Tuesday, with markets, educational institutions and business establishments remaining closed over the killing of three Meitei people in the Khongbal Tangkhul area.
The shutdown began at midnight on October 19 and covered both the hill and valley districts. Roads remained largely deserted, with only essential and government-related vehicles operating in several areas. Protesters blocked roads with wooden logs, while women staged sit-in demonstrations at various locations.
Shops, banks, private offices and commercial establishments remained closed, while schools, colleges and universities suspended activities. Public transport was largely off the roads, and the shutdown also disrupted inter-state road connectivity. Flight operations continued normally, although attendance at government offices remained low.
Healthcare, fire services, water supply, media activities, religious functions and medical emergencies were exempted from the shutdown. The impact was more pronounced in the valley districts than in the hill areas.
The NPCM called the shutdown to demand decisive security action against armed groups allegedly responsible for the attack in Khongbal Tangkhul, which killed three Meitei people and injured several others. The committee said protests would continue until the government took credible steps to address its demands and hold those responsible accountable.
