IMPHAL: A total shutdown called by the Native People’s Committee Manipur (NPCM) for 48 hours statewide from Monday midnight, demanding decisive security action against armed groups responsible for the attack in the Khongbal Tangkhul area that killed three Meitei people and injured several others, crippled normal life.
The shutdown covered both hill and valley districts, and protests are also continuing until the government demonstrates credible action towards meeting the committee’s demands. Health services, religious activities and institutions, and essential services will be exempted.
#WATCH | Imphal, Manipur: ADGP Manipur Police, Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo, says, “Intensive search operations and intelligence-based operations have been conducted by joint teams of Manipur Police, CRPF, and CoBRA since late yesterday evening in the neighboring villages under Sagolmang Police Station. During the joint operation, three individuals were arrested. According to the preliminary investigation, two of them have admitted to being part of the assault team responsible for the death of three individuals and injuries to three others at Sunulok Hill. The role of the third arrested individual in this heinous crime is being investigated, and efforts are underway to identify the others involved in the case. The following weapons and items have been recovered based on disclosures made by the accused: one INSAS rifle, one M16 rifle, one AI rifle, one AK-47, one Type 81 rifle, one 7.62 mm sniper rifle, one Heckler & Koch 5.56 mm rifle, three 12-bore single-barrel guns, one Lithoid gun, and one handmade rocket launcher. A total of 12 firearms have been seized. Additionally, 1,095 live rounds of ammunition of various calibres have been recovered, along with explosives. The recovered items include TNT slabs, PEK explosives, gunpowder, Lithoid shells, Pompeii bombs, M61 rifle grenades, Chinese hand grenades, handmade mortars, and three detonators. Other recovered items include radio sets with batteries, helmets, uniforms, a monocular, and poppy plant seeds…”
He adds, “In another operation launched at 0400 hours this morning, joint teams of Manipur Police, CRPF, CoBRA, BSF, Assam Rifles, and the Army began operations in the area surrounding Sinai Camp, a designated KNO camp. As we speak, joint teams are conducting a thorough search of the camp. Additionally, 17 individuals have been detained whose identities do not match those of the listed KNO and KLA cadres associated with the camp. A thorough investigation is underway. Ammunition and magazines have also been found missing from the camp, and this is being verified against the weapons seized…”
— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2026
Shops, markets, business establishments, banks, private offices and educational institutions—including schools, colleges and universities remained closed. Public and private transport vehicles were suspended except for police and government vehicles. Entertainment venues and other commercial activities were completely suspended. Government offices also had minimal attendance.
Essential services such as medical emergencies, media and religious functions were exempted from the shutdown. The impact was widespread, with major roads across both the valley and hill districts deserted. Only essential service vehicles were seen moving. Wooden logs were being placed in the middle of the roads, and protesting women sat stretching along the roads, blocking the roads.
The shutdown, which began at midnight on October 19, led to the closure of educational institutions, banks, business establishments and private offices. Public transport services were also limited while attendance at government offices remained low.
Inter-state road transport was suspended, affecting road connectivity between Manipur and other parts of the country. Airline services, however, continued to operate normally.
Essential services, including healthcare, fire services, water supply, media activities and ritual-related functions, were exempted from the shutdown. The impact of the bandh was reported to be greater in the valley areas than in the hill districts. (ANI)
