Bandhs Freeze Markets in Manipur's Imphal Valley and Kangpokpi Amid Rising Ethnic Violence

In Manipur, coordinated shutdowns disrupted daily life in two regions as ethnic tensions flared. The Imphal Valley entered a 48-hour bandh after an ambush in Imphal East killed three Meiteis, leading to deserted markets, blocked streets and suspended public transport across five valley districts. At the same time, Kangpokpi district observed a bandh in response to the killing of a 45-year-old Kuki man who was gathering bamboo shoots, hours after several Kuki houses were set on fire in Ukhrul.

Police chief Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo confirmed three arrests related to the Meitei ambush, with two suspects admitting participation. The Joint Action Committee warned it would not accept the victims' bodies until all perpetrators are identified, while protesters placed two corpses before Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh's residence, accusing Kuki militants of the attack. Security forces used tear gas to disperse the crowd, underscoring the deepening divide between the Meitei and Kuki communities that has claimed hundreds of lives since 2023.