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ISLAMABAD: The hostage crisis in India&rsquo;s conflict-ridden Manipur state has escalated into an economic shutdown, with tribal blockades and transport disruptions paralyzing key highways and daily life, Indian media reported on Tuesday. The unrest follows the abduction of dozens of members of the minority Kuki and Naga communities during recent ethnic violence in the state. Reports say armed groups kidnapped civilians after a series of attacks and killings in violence-affected areas earlier this month. The hostage crisis has triggered outrage among tribal organizations, which have imposed shutdowns and economic blockades across several districts. National Highway-2, one of Manipur&rsquo;s main supply routes, has been heavily affected as protesters have blocked movement in the region.&nbsp;Hundreds of trucks carrying fuel, food and essential supplies have been left stranded along highways due to the restrictions. Security forces have launched combing operations in Manipur&rsquo;s Kangpokpi district to rescue those believed to still be held captive.&nbsp;Officials have said several abducted civilians have been rescued, though Kuki and Naga groups claim 14 and four people from their communities are still being held hostage, respectively. The United Naga Council and Kuki organizations have accused the state government of failing to protect tribal communities from repeated attacks.&nbsp;Community groups have said the blockades will continue until all captives are released and stronger security measures are implemented. Residents have reported fuel shortages and transport disruptions as commercial movement has slowed across affected regions. The latest crisis has deepened tensions in Manipur, where ethnic violence involving Meitei, Kuki and Naga groups has persisted since 2023. Thousands of people have been displaced during the conflict, while repeated clashes have disrupted normal life across the northeastern state. Security remains heightened in sensitive districts as authorities attempt to restore movement along highways and contain tensions.

Locals clash with Indian security forces in Manipur. (File Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

India

The unrest follows the abduction of dozens of members of the minority Kuki and Naga communities during recent ethnic violence in the state.

Hostage crisis and economic shutdown in India’s Manipur

ISLAMABAD: The killing of three tribal church leaders in Manipur has reignited tensions in the violence-hit northeastern state, triggering protests and shutdowns across hill districts, Indian media reported on Thursday. According to reports, the victims were associated with the Thadou Baptist Association and were ambushed by unidentified armed men in Kangpokpi district. The church leaders were returning from a religious gathering in Churachandpur when their vehicles were attacked along the Kangpokpi&ndash;Churachandpur road. At least three people were killed in the incident, which has intensified anxiety in areas already affected by ethnic unrest. The Wire reported that the killings come amid ongoing tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities that have gripped Manipur since 2023. Following the attack, tribal organizations called for shutdowns in several districts, including Kangpokpi and Churachandpur. Local groups said the shutdown was meant to protest the killings and demand justice for the victims.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2054622707522670822&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fmedia-library%2F&sessionId=9e2b85a012d3f5ba51839d34629b8ba81a836e85&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 825px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>Normal life was disrupted as markets, schools and transport services remained largely closed in affected areas. Kuki Inpi Manipur, a key tribal body, demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency into the killings. The organization also submitted a charter of demands to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking enhanced security and accountability. Tribal groups said repeated attacks on their communities have created a climate of fear and insecurity in the region. Rights organizations have previously alleged that authorities have failed to prevent violence and ensure protection for vulnerable groups. The government has maintained that efforts are ongoing to stabilize the security situation in Manipur. Security forces were deployed in the affected districts following the attack to prevent further escalation. Police have launched an investigation into the killings, though no group has claimed responsibility so far. Community leaders warned that targeting religious figures could further deepen mistrust between communities. The latest incident highlights the fragile security environment in Manipur, where periodic violence continues to disrupt efforts toward reconciliation. Tensions remain high as authorities attempt to contain the fallout and reassure residents in the affected regions.

The killing of three tribal church leaders in Manipur triggered protests and shutdowns, with tribal groups demanding justice and alleging security failures amid ongoing ethnic tensions in the northeastern Indian state.

Articles tagged with "Ethnic Violence"

Hostage crisis and economic shutdown in India’s Manipur

India’s Manipur on edge after killing of three tribal church leaders

Hostage crisis and economic shutdown in India’s Manipur