Churachandpur, Kangpokpi shutdown affects life; fresh violence in Jiribam

The shutdown called by Kuki-Zo groups affected normal life in Manipur's Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts on Saturday, while fresh violence was reported from a village in Jiribam, officials said.

The shutdown was called by Kuki-Zo groups, including the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) and Kuki Students Organisation (KSO), in protest against Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh's statement about militants entering the state from outside.

Markets and other commercial establishments remained shut in the two districts, while vehicles stayed off the roads, officials said.

No untoward incidents have so far been reported, they said. The shutdown began in the two districts on Friday and would continue till Sunday.

Singh had on September 20 claimed that security forces have taken a number of steps in the wake of reports that "900 militants" who have entered the state might carry out violence in peripheral villages of Imphal valley districts.