Shutdown begins in Manipur district over two missing Kuki youths

The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), an organisation of the Kuki-Zomi communities, has announced a 48-hour shutdown in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, condemning the alleged abduction of two Kuki youths and demanding their safe and unconditional release.Also read | New fault lines: On Manipur’s Kuki-Zo–Naga conflictThe shutdown began at 5 p.m. on Thursday (October 29, 2026) and will continue until 5 p.m. on October 31.According to the CoTU, the two youths went missing around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday (October 28, 2026) while travelling between Hengbung and Taphou Kuki villages in the district.Also read | Kuki-Zo insurgent camp taken over by CRPF in Manipur among two to be relocated under MHA dealNon-Kuki extremists are suspected to be involved in the “abduction” of Thangginlun Chongloi and Paominlal Chongloi, both 20-year-olds.“During this [shutdown] period, shops, markets, vehicles, educational institutions, and government and private offices are expected to remain closed. Medical services, media personnel and security forces have been exempted from the shutdown,” the CoTU said, urging the authorities to act swiftly and ensure the safe release of the two youths.The organisation also criticised the alleged discriminatory treatment of the Kuki-Zomi community by security forces and the State Government.“When non-Kuki-Zo groups face issues, security forces and the administration respond with prompt rescue and combing operations and high-level attention. However, when Kuki-Zo people are kidnapped, attacked or killed, there is either silence, delay or inaction. This double standard and biased approach is unacceptable and has emboldened anti-social elements,” the CoTU said. Published - October 29, 2026 10:09 pm IST