Normal life in Manipur's Churachandpur district has been severely disrupted following an indefinite shutdown called by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF). The shutdown was triggered by the death of Hoikholhing Haokip, a Kuki woman, who was killed on Thursday, June 19, 2025, during a crossfire between security forces and armed militants in Langchingmanbi village. The incident has reignited tensions in the already volatile region, which has been grappling with ethnic unrest since May 2023.
The ITLF condemned the killing as a "grave injustice" and has demanded immediate action against those responsible. They are also calling for concrete steps from the central government to ensure the safety of tribal people and their land, as well as an independent investigation into repeated violations of the buffer zones. Six Kuki civil society organizations have voiced their support for the shutdown, echoing the demand for a high-level investigation and accountability for Hoikholhing's death.
As a result of the shutdown, Churachandpur town wore a deserted look on Friday, June 20, 2025, with bandh supporters blocking roads, including the crucial Tiddim Road (NH-150) that connects Imphal with Mizoram. Markets, educational institutions, and government offices remained closed, though essential services like pharmacies and medical facilities were allowed to operate. Attendance in government offices was notably poor.
The incident occurred amidst heightened tensions following a separate gun attack in Phubala, Bishnupur district, where Ningthoujam Biren Singh, a Meitei farmer, was injured by unidentified assailants while working in his paddy field. Security forces launched a search operation in Langchingmanbi village, leading to the crossfire in which Hoikholhing was killed.
The Kuki Inpi Youth Affairs, a youth wing of a Kuki organization, alleged that Hoikholhing was killed during a crossfire between central security forces and armed Meitei militants, blaming the security forces' negligence. The Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) also condemned the incident, describing it as a "brutal" reminder of the ongoing ethnic cleansing and targeted violence against the community, alleging that the woman was "shot dead by Meitei militants".
Adding to the complexity, residents of Bishnupur blocked a highway leading to Churachandpur, demanding the arrest of the assailants who shot and injured Ningthoujam Biren Singh. A women's group had threatened a complete shutdown across the Imphal Valley if top state government officials did not visit the affected area.
The situation remains tense, with additional state and central forces deployed to maintain order. Authorities have appealed for calm and assured the public that investigations into both the Churachandpur and Phubala shootings are underway. The incident highlights the fragility of peace in Manipur, which has witnessed significant loss of life and displacement due to the ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
