Ukhrul Kuki Body Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum, Warns of Total Shutdown

Escalating pressure on the Manipur Government, the Kuki Civil Society Organisations Working Committee (WCKCSOs)-Ukhrul on Sunday issued a 48-hour ultimatum, warning that it would enforce a total shutdown from August 5 if authorities fail to end what it described as a "selective economic blockade" allegedly targeting Kuki-Zo people in Ukhrul district.

The committee categorically stated that its ongoing Counter Economic Blockade has no connection whatsoever with the United Naga Council's (UNC) blockade on National Highway-2, asserting that the two agitations stem from entirely different issues.

The WCKCSOs-Ukhrul alleged that certain Tangkhul and Meitei groups have imposed a selective blockade at Seijang, Yaingangpokpi, Wunghon and Sokvao along NH-202, deliberately obstructing the movement of essential commodities meant for the Kuki-Zo community in Ukhrul district.

Drawing a distinction between the two agitations, the committee said while the UNC's blockade seeks justice for the six slain Zeliangrong men, its own movement is centred on ensuring "equal dignity, equal survival" and ending what it termed discriminatory restrictions on the Kuki-Zo people.

"A highway cannot be a lifeline for one people and a blockade for another," the committee said, arguing that NH-202 cannot continue serving the rest of Manipur while denying the Kuki-Zo population access to food, medicines and other essential supplies.

The committee further urged the Government not to conflate its agitation with the UNC's blockade or ongoing peace initiatives, maintaining that the issue is a separate humanitarian crisis requiring immediate, independent and result-oriented intervention.

Claiming that a week of peaceful democratic protest has failed to elicit any meaningful response from the authorities, the WCKCSOs-Ukhrul announced a 48-hour ultimatum, effective from 12 a.m. on August 3 until 12 a.m. on August 5, demanding immediate action to end the alleged selective blockade.

It warned that failure by the Government to "separately, directly and effectively" restore unrestricted movement of essential commodities would compel the organisation to launch a total shutdown across the area from 12 a.m. on August 5.

The committee said "No democracy can expect one community to keep its roads open while its own people are selectively deprived of food and essential commodities," adding that months of restraint and a week of peaceful democratic agitation should not be mistaken for weakness.

Issuing a final warning, the WCKCSOs-Ukhrul said the Government now faces a clear choice — immediately end the alleged selective economic blockade against the Kuki-Zo people of Ukhrul or bear sole responsibility for the consequences arising from continued inaction.