Kangpokpi Shutdown Enforced After Two Kuki Youths Are Reported Missing

Overview

• Two Kuki youths from Taphou Kuki village went missing while travelling between Hengbung and Taphou, which local authorities say occurred on October 28 and has been reported as an alleged abduction.
• The Committee on Tribal Unity imposed a 48-hour shutdown in Kangpokpi from 5 pm on October 29 to 5 pm on October 31, closing shops, schools and transport while exempting medical services, media and security forces.
• CoTU and village leaders have accused Naga militants of the abduction, a claim that local police and security forces say is under investigation as search operations continue.
• The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity is holding an October 31 rally demanding the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations with Kuki militants and resettlement for internally displaced people, and the deputy chief minister has urged authorities to trace the youths and maintain restraint.
• The incident has sharpened an ongoing Naga–Kuki conflict that has caused dozens of deaths and widespread displacement since February and could prompt further local mobilisation, transport disruption on NH-102 and greater distrust of security forces.