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Manipur govt asks dept heads to take action against absent employees during shutdown protest
The Manipur government directed department heads to take action against employees absent without authorised leave during a five-day shutdown. The shutdown was called by Meira Paibi groups in five valley districts to protest a bombing that killed two children, while a parallel three-day shutdown was announced by the United Naga Council in Naga-inhabited areas. The government also sought revocation of the shutdown, citing disruptions and hardship.
Why It Matters
The directive highlights how authorities respond to protests that disrupt governance and services, while multiple groups push back against violence and the processing of security-related incidents in Manipur.
Timeline
5 Events
April 20, 2026 - United Naga Council announces three-day shutdown across Nagainhabited areas
April 20, 2026
A three-day shutdown was announced by the United Naga Council across all Naga-inhabited areas starting Monday, April 20, 2026, to protest the April 18 killings in Ukhrul district.
April 19, 2026 - Home Minister seeks revocation of shutdown
April 19, 2026
Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam announced negotiations with the Joint Action Committee and appealed for revocation of the Meira Paibi-led five-day shutdown, citing hardships faced by students, daily wage earners, farmers and businesspersons.
April 19, 2026 - Attendance enforcement during five-day shutdown
April 19, 2026
Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel directed administrative secretaries and heads of departments to ensure attendance in offices during the five-day shutdown starting April 19, with attendance reports to be sent to concerned departments and departmental proceedings to be initiated against those absent without authorised leave. Deputy commissioners were asked to ensure the functioning of offices.
April 18, 2026 - Ambush kills two civilians in Ukhrul
April 18, 2026
Two civilians were killed in an ambush in Ukhrul district on April 18, 2026. The United Naga Council announced a three-day shutdown across Naga-inhabited areas in response to the incident.
April 7, 2026 - Bomb attack in Tronglaobi kills two children
April 7, 2026
Two children were killed in a bomb attack at Tronglaobi, Bishnupur district, on April 7, 2026, prompting Meira Paibi groups in five valley districts to call for disruptive protests.