Unrest Erupts in Manipur as Locals Defy Amit Shah’s Free Movement Directive

Manipur’s Kangpokpi district descended into chaos on Saturday as protesters clashed with security forces, defying Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s directive allowing unrestricted movement across the state starting March 8. The unrest unfolded amid a volatile mix of local opposition, a blocked peace march by a Meitei organization, and escalating ethnic tensions.

Security forces resorted to tear gas to disperse demonstrators who pelted stones, injuring several personnel. Protesters vented their anger by torching private vehicles, including an attempt to halt a state transport bus en route from Imphal to Senapati. Along the NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur highway), burning tyres and road blockades disrupted government vehicle movement, signaling fierce resistance to Shah’s order. The protests also targeted a peace march organized by the Federation of Civil Society (FOCS), a Meitei group advocating reconciliation.

The FOCS march, comprising over 10 vehicles, was halted by security forces at Sekmai, citing lack of permission. “We’re following orders to stop the march. They can use state buses if they wish to proceed,” a policeman explained. FOCS members, however, argued they were adhering to Shah’s free movement directive, exposing a disconnect between policy and enforcement.

Adding fuel to the fire, a purported video from the Kuki-Zo village volunteers surfaced, rejecting the free movement decision and demanding a separate administration. “Any attempt to enter our areas will face strong resistance,” a volunteer declared, though PTI could not verify the video’s authenticity. The statement underscores deep-seated ethnic divisions, with the Kuki-Zo community opposing integration without political autonomy.

Saturday’s clashes highlight Manipur’s fragile peace, as Shah’s initiative—intended to ease restrictions— вместо этого reignited local grievances. With vehicles ablaze and highways blocked, Kangpokpi remains a flashpoint, testing the state’s ability to reconcile competing demands for unity and separation.