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People in Manipur are fed up with the frequent shutdowns and blockades imposed by different groups to push forward their demands. All that they want is peace to lead normal lives. A recent three-day shutdown by Kuki tribes between May 12-15 in Chandel District and Moreh Town disrupted normal life in the area. Shops, border trade, business institutions, and banks were closed, resulting in losses to the state’s economy. Daily wagers also faced problems. Schools and colleges were also closed. State buses and trucks ferrying goods were stopped by protestors and were stranded at Jiribam for three days. The Kukis threatened to initiate a blockade if their demands for talks with the central government for a separate state were not met. This is not the first time when Manipur is facing such a situation. Tonbi, a local, said: “Manipur is a small state. So, in my opinion, Kuki, Naga, or other community demanding for separate state, wouldn’t be good. As a citizen of Manipur, we want to live together with peace, love and harmony.” Yumnam Ibemyaima, a local vendor, said: “Whenever we get news about shutdowns or blockades, it scares us, because we the people of Manipur suffer the most then. These shutdowns bring price hikes and other problems along with and we do not want that.” Last year, the Kukis imposed a nearly four-month-long blockade on National Highway 39 and National Highway 53, bringing the state to a standstill over a demand for a separate district of Sadar Hills and its removal from the purview of Senapati district. Manipur consists of over 36 tribes, of which Kuki is one. Kukis are mostly located in Chandel and Churachandpur districts in Manipuur. They are also spread across other northeastern states, Myanmar and Bangladesh . Kukis have threatened to break all Signing Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements and return to militancy if their demands are not met. The Kukis started their demand for a separate state in 1950 and today the Kuki State Demand Committee carries it. R. S. Jassal, an expert on Manipur, said: “I do not agree with these demands because if we study the area, Kukis are spread all over the Northeast, including Bangladesh and Myanmar . And, if you start consolidating them under one umbrella, it will be a very stupendous task. The same is true in the case of Nagas and it is true in the case of Meiteis also.” The creation of new states will cause turmoil as various tribes and communities in the region are closely integrated through trade and commerce that demarcating lines within the state will be difficult.

Kuki shutdown disrupts normal life in Manipur