Imphal : Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh on Monday appealed for the withdrawal of the ongoing five-day statewide shutdown, citing severe disruption to daily life and growing hardship among the public.

Speaking amid escalating tensions in Manipur, the Chief Minister said discussions are already underway with the Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed in connection with the Bishnupur incident, in which two minor children were killed in a suspected militant attack.

“We have not said ‘no’ to any of the demands. We understand and sympathise with their cause, but talks were already underway, and in the midst of these discussions, the shutdown was suddenly called,” he said.

Highlighting the impact of the shutdown, Singh noted that daily wage earners and small vendors have been the worst affected. He pointed to the struggles faced by local vegetable sellers, often referred to as ‘Ema’ mothers, and others dependent on daily income.

The Chief Minister urged that the shutdown be revoked in the larger public interest, emphasising the need to restore normalcy.

He made the remarks on the sidelines of the 83rd commemoration of the Khurai Chingangbam Mandop Aerial Bombing (1943), held at Khurai Thangjam Leikai.

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity intensified pressure on the government by announcing a boycott of all activities linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state.

COCOMI Secretary General Shanta Nahakpam alleged that the government has remained disconnected from ground realities and has failed to adequately engage with civil society organisations across communities.

“What is happening? Why such incidents are recurring, and why the government has not been able to effectively curb these attacks,” he said.

Calling for public participation, Nahakpam urged citizens to refrain from attending political, developmental, or public programmes associated with the BJP, including those involving MLAs, party functionaries, or government representatives.

He further criticised the Chief Minister’s approach as “personalised” and lacking broader consultation with stakeholders.

COCOMI said democratic forms of agitation would continue and called on people to unite in the coming days to seek accountability. It also urged citizens to approach the residences of key government officials, including the Chief Minister and the Home Minister, to demand answers.