Tribal Unity Committee calls for 12-hour shutdown in Guwahati over road restrictions

Guwahati: The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) has announced a 12-hour total shutdown from 4 am to 4 pm on Saturday, to protest against what it terms “unwarranted road restrictions” imposed by the Army in the vicinity of Leimakhong. Intense search operations are on to locate the missing Meitei community man in Leimakhong. CoTU criticised the restrictions imposed on roadways in the aftermath, calling them “regrettable”.

Highlighting the tense situation in Manipur, the Committee pointed out that since May 2023, the Kuki-Zo community has been forcibly displaced from the Imphal valley by the Meitei community, leading to a geographical divide. The Kuki-Zo now inhabit the hills, while the Meiteis are confined to the valley, with neither group able to move freely through the other’s territory.

Schools, Colleges Reopen
Schools and colleges in Manipur’s Imphal Valley and Jiribam district resumed classes on Friday after 13 days. The Directorate of Education Schools and the Higher and Technical Education Department had on Thursday ordered the resumption of classes in Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Kakching, Thoubal and Jiribam districts. The state government ordered relaxation of curfew from 5 am to 4 pm on Friday in all five valley districts and Jiribam to enable people to purchase essential items and medicines.