Manipur: 24-Hour Shutdown Paralyzes Valley Region Over Alleged Police Killing of Village Volunteer

Guwahati:A 24-hour shutdown called by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) in response to the Salungpham incident has brought the valley region of Manipur to a standstill. The strike, which commenced at 6 PM yesterday, seeks justice for the death of 18-year-old village volunteer Laishram Prem, who was allegedly killed by Thoubal district police commandos.The shutdown gained widespread support from local clubs, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) Women’s Wing. As a result, roads in the region were empty, government office attendance was significantly lower, and many businesses were closed. However, essential services and medical emergencies were exempt from the strike.The JAC has made several demands, including strict action against the police officers believed to be involved in Prem’s death and the immediate release of six village defense volunteers detained during the Salungpham incident in Thoubal district.The tragedy, which occurred on December 14 near Salungpham High School, has ignited widespread anger. The Manipur Police claimed that the youth died in an encounter, alleging he was a member of a banned group. However, the family of the deceased, the JAC, and local meira paibis (women activists) assert that Laishram Prem was simply a village volunteer with no militant affiliations.The JAC has announced that they will not claim Prem’s body until their demands are met. The killing has caused significant public outrage, with many viewing it as an unjust attack on the village defense volunteers who work to protect their communities. The shutdown stands as a collective show of anger and a call for accountability from the authorities.