Joint Council cites govt apathy after 12 days of protest; says shutdown to continue until killers held, detainees freed
Songpi: May 26, 2026
The Kuki Inpi Manipur and civil society organisations in Kangpokpi have extended the total shutdown across all Kuki inhabited areas from 12:00 midnight of May 25, citing continued government inaction over the murder of three Kuki church leaders and the detention of Kuki individuals in Senapati.
In Press Statement 04/KIM/PR/25-33 issued Sunday, KIM said the decision followed “continued silence, indifference, and inaction” after twelve days of sustained shutdown and democratic protests. The apex body held Naga Civil Society Organisations led by the Senapati District Students’ Association responsible for the “illegal detention” of Kuki individuals.
The Joint Council resolved that the shutdown will continue and only be lifted when perpetrators of the “barbaric murder” of the three church leaders are investigated, identified, and brought to justice, and when all Kuki detainees are released “safely, immediately, and unconditionally.”
KIM said the government’s failure to respond is a “serious affront to the collective pain, suffering, and dignity of the people.” It warned that Kuki Inpi and Kuki civil bodies will intensify the democratic justice movement and adopt “more stringent measures” if indifference persists.
Essential and emergency services, including medical emergencies, healthcare, media, and security-related movements, remain exempt from the shutdown, the statement clarified.
Kuki Inpi Manipur appealed for continued public cooperation, solidarity, and support “in this collective struggle for justice, truth, peace, and the protection of human dignity.” The statement was issued by Janghaolun Haokip, Secretary, Information & Publicity, Kuki Inpi Manipur.
