Kuki Group Lifts Manipur Highway Blockade After Government Assurances
A Kuki organization has ended an indefinite blockade on National Highway 202 in Manipur following a state government agreement to prevent future disruptions. The blockade, initiated in retaliation for a Naga group's action, aimed to ensure the safe movement of essential goods.
Key takeaways
- A Kuki organization has ended an economic blockade and highway shutdown in Manipur after reaching an agreement with the state government.
- The government committed to preventing future blockades and ensuring the safe movement of essential goods along National Highway 202.
- The blockade was a retaliation for a similar action by a Naga group and highlighted ongoing ethnic tensions and supply concerns in the region.
An indefinite economic blockade and shutdown of National Highway 202 in Manipur has been lifted by a Kuki organization. This action follows a meeting with state government representatives on Tuesday, where an agreement was reached to prevent future blockades on the highway connecting Manipur with Nagaland.
The Working Committee of the Kuki Civil Society Organisation announced the end of the counter-blockade, which was effective from 4:30 PM on Tuesday. The decision came after discussions with state Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam and Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker Thokchom Radheshyam in Ukhrul. An agreement was reportedly signed, obligating the government to ensure the safety and security of NH-202 and to stop any group from imposing blockades or interrupting traffic.
The Kuki group's demands included assurances for the free and non-discriminatory movement of essential commodities, a key concern amid existing supply restrictions. This counter-blockade was launched on July 27 in response to an inter-district economic blockade initiated by a Naga group on all national highways in Manipur. The Kuki blockade had intensified the highway shutdown starting August 5.
The Naga group's initial blockade was reportedly a demand for justice following the discovery of six mutilated bodies on June 10. These individuals were allegedly abducted by Kuki groups on May 13. As of Tuesday, there was no official statement from the United Naga Council regarding the lifting of its ongoing economic blockade.
Escalating tensions between Naga and Kuki-Zo communities were observed after twin ambushes on May 13 resulted in four deaths, including three church leaders. On the same day, 48 people were captured by Kuki-Zo and Naga groups. While 14 individuals from each community were released later, the remaining 14 Kuki-Zo hostages were freed unharmed on June 9. The discovery of the six Naga bodies occurred the following day.
The broader ethnic violence in Manipur began in 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki communities, eventually involving nearly all ethnic groups in the state. The Meitei, primarily Hindu and residing in the Imphal valley, and the Kuki-Zo, predominantly Christian and living in the hills, have largely become estranged from each other's dominant areas. Although the state government states there are no formal buffer zones, certain sensitive areas have been identified. A new government formed in February includes representatives from major communities, an effort to balance ethnic representation amid continued sporadic violence that has resulted in over 260 deaths and displaced 60,000 people.
Story by Project Chintan
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