India, Feb. 6 -- Protesters blocked a key highway and damaged a vehicle during a 24-hour shutdown imposed in Manipur's Churachandpur district over the support of three Kuki-Zo legislators to the new government in the ethnic violence-hit state. The support triggered violent protests in the region on Thursday.

The Kuki Zo Council, an apex body of the Kuki-Zo communities, called for a shutdown and announced a social boycott of the three, including deputy chief minister Nemcha Kipgen, for defying its decision and joining the government without their demand for a separate administration being addressed.

The protesters blocked the highway connecting the capital Imphal to Mizoram's Aizawl via Churachandpur. Businesses and educational instituti...