CHURACHANDPUR (Manipur), May 3 (ANI): Normal life in Manipur’s Churachandpur district came to a grinding halt on Saturday as the Joint Student Body (JSB) called for a total shutdown to observe the second anniversary of the state’s ongoing ethnic crisis.
Shops, markets, and educational institutions remained closed, while streets were largely deserted during the bandh, reflecting the somber mood of the district on this significant day.
Meanwhile, the Manipur Police issued a press note on Friday stating that the security situation across the state remained tense but under control over the past 24 hours. The statement highlighted the continued efforts by security forces to maintain stability through search operations and area domination exercises conducted in fringe and vulnerable regions across both hill and valley districts.
During these operations, several illegal weapons were recovered, and authorities apprehended an individual involved in arms smuggling, the police confirmed.
To ensure the steady supply of essential goods, police further reported the successful movement of 346 and 158 vehicles carrying necessary items along National Highways 2 and 37, respectively. Enhanced security measures have been implemented at all vulnerable locations, with security convoys deployed along sensitive routes to safeguard the transportation of supplies.
The ethnic violence, which erupted in May 2023, has claimed numerous lives and displaced thousands, deepening sectarian divisions across Manipur. The prolonged unrest culminated in the imposition of President’s Rule on February 13, 2025, following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
As the state continues to grapple with the consequences of the conflict, Saturday’s shutdown serves as both a symbol of protest and a call for peace and justice in a deeply fractured region.
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