The protest quickly escalated to police firing when the Government of Manipur declared martial law and sent its commando to occupy the town.

The arbitrary decision of the government touched the core of the Naga populace as they considered this as an infringement on their rights in their own land.

[3] The triggering point of the protest was the assault on a civilian on May 5 by security forces stationed at the Manipur-Nagaland border to prevent Muivah from entering Manipur.

Two students—Dikho Loshuo (B.A second year student of St. Joseph's College, Jakhama) and Neli Chakho (B.A second year student of St. Joseph Evening College, Bangalore) both from Kalinamei were killed in indiscriminate firing by security forces of Manipur.

The situation became increasingly tense, which led the terrified populace around Mao Gate to evacuate to temporary camps set up at Kisama Heritage Village and Khuzama in Nagaland.