Kuki CSOs Issue Public Advisory, Firmly Refute TNL’s Highway Blockade Claims

The Security Department of the Kuki CSO Working Committee (WCKCSOs), Ukhrul issued a public advisory urging restraint and cooperation from all sections as a crucial meeting of Tangkhul civil society organisations has been advanced.

The department informed that the meeting, originally scheduled for April 11, has been preponed to April 9, citing urgency. In view of this, it directed all members of the Kuki public, particularly village volunteers, to refrain from any actions that could be perceived as obstructing the free movement of representatives attending the meeting.

“As guardians of peace and harmony, all must work collectively to facilitate the smooth conduct of the meeting, which may serve as a critical step towards restoring normalcy in the region,” the advisory stated.

The department emphasised that cooperation on the ground would be vital in maintaining order and preventing further escalation in the already sensitive hill areas of Manipur.

Meanwhile, the Kuki CSO Working Committee (WCKCSOs) has strongly refuted allegations of a prolonged blockade along National Highway-202, terming such claims are “inaccurate and misleading” amid the volatile situation in Manipur’s hill districts.

In a detailed clarification, the Kuki CSO Working Committee (WCKCSOs), Ukhrul, responded to a recent public statement by the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) president addressed to the Manipur government and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh in particular, raising concerns over security and mobility along the Litan–Mahadev stretch.

Rejecting claims of a two-month blockade by Kuki groups, the committee stated that “no organised or sustained blockade” had been imposed. It acknowledged a brief disruption between March 12 and 19 following the killing of Thenkhogin Baite and Thangboimang Lunkim, which escalated tensions on the ground.

The CSOs alleged that frequent incidents of firing, attributed to Tangkhul militant elements targeting Kuki villages such as Mongkot Chepu, Shangshak, and Jalenbung, have rendered the highway unsafe for commuters. “The issue is not merely access but the safety and security of civilians,” the statement said.

While underlining the importance of central security forces in preventing escalation, the committee cautioned against calls for their withdrawal, terming such demands “impractical” in the prevailing circumstances. It instead pointed to operational challenges faced by security personnel and stressed the need for enabling them to function “efficiently and impartially.”

On the broader conflict, the WCKCSOs emphasised that selective narratives and historical interpretations alone cannot resolve the crisis. “Lasting peace requires empathy, mutual recognition of suffering, and inclusive dialogue,” it stated, warning that unilateral approaches risk deepening divisions.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace and constructive engagement, the committee urged all stakeholders to work towards restoring trust and stability in the region.