Ethnic violence that took 260 lives displacing over 70,000 people and still continues to haunt the Northeastern state of Manipur began on May 3, 2023.
A shutdown has been called by various groups on Saturday to mark the day in both the Maitei-controlled Imphal Valley and the Kuki-dominated hill districts.
There are several other events lined up to remember the people who lost their lives to this and the ethnic communities are also reiterating their demands in front of the government on this occasion.
Manipur Violence Began On May 3, 2023
It was on this day in 2023 that ethnic clashes broke out between the Meteis and Kukis, which left over 260 people killed, 1,500 injured, and over 70,000 people displaced, as per official data.
Markets were shut, public vehicles remained off the roads, and private offices remained closed across the state. A few private vehicles were seen on the roads in the morning.
Schools, colleges and other institutes were also shut.
Security forces have also been deployed at key locations to prevent any unwanted activities, officials said.
After two years of unrest and violence in Manipur, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh stepped down on February 9, 2025, leading to the imposition of president's rule in the state on February 13.
Events Scheduled To Mark This Day
Shutdown was called by Meitei group Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) in the valley districts, while the Zomi Students Federation (ZSF) and the Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) have imposed the shutdown in the hill districts.
COCOMI will hold 'Manipur Peoples' Convention' at Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal. It has urged the people to attend the public meeting in large numbers.
A candlelight march will also be held in the evening in Imphal to pay homage to those who died in the violence.
The Kuki community in the hill districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts are observing 'Day of Separation', demanding a separate territory.
A programme will be held at the 'Wall of Remembrance', which has been built in Churachandpur town in memory of those killed in the ethnic violence, at 11 am. Another programme is scheduled at the Sehken Burial site, where some of the Kuki people killed in the violence have been buried, from 2 pm.
