Tensions escalated in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Tuesday after hundreds of Kuki-Zo people, mobilised under the banner of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), marched towards the buffer zone at Gamgiphai in an attempt to proceed to Kanglatongbi, where an economic blockade has allegedly disrupted the movement of essential commodities along National Highway-2.
The protesters first assembled at Taloulong Playground before marching towards the buffer zone at Gamgiphai. However, security forces deployed at the buffer zone stopped the procession from advancing, leading to a brief face-off between the demonstrators and the personnel.
As the confrontation intensified, security forces resorted to crowd-control measures, including the use of tear gas shells and smoke bombs, to disperse the gathering and prevent the protesters from crossing the buffer zone.
During the confrontation, several protesters sustained injuries and were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Despite the action by security personnel, the Kuki-Zo protesters remained seated on National Highway-2, refusing to disperse and insisting that the alleged economic blockade at Kanglatongbi be lifted to restore the unhindered movement of food, medicines, and other essential commodities.
The protest led to a brief disruption in vehicular movement along National Highway-2, one of Manipur's principal arterial roads linking the hill districts with the state capital and beyond. Later, normal traffic resumed in the afternoon.
The situation was later brought under control following the intervention of district administration officials and personnel of the CRPF, who held discussions with community leaders and protesters, leading to a temporary de-escalation of tensions.
On the sidelines of the protest, CoTU spokesperson Ng. Lun Kipgen launched a scathing attack on the political leadership, alleging that persistent "fascist ideals" and hatred were preventing the restoration of peace and normalcy in the region.
"As long as the ideals of fascism and hatred continue to linger in the mindset of leaders and politicians in the region, peace and normalcy will never find space anytime soon," Kipgen said.
He further questioned how "a handful of hoodlums at Namdulong" could allegedly paralyse the state's entire supply chain, saying it was "baffling" that authorities had failed to ensure the uninterrupted movement of essential commodities.
Kipgen also urged security agencies to remain politically neutral, alleging that selective enforcement based on "one-sided political narratives" undermined public confidence and the principles of fair and balanced justice.
According to the CoTU spokesperson, the committee had previously submitted multiple memoranda to district authorities, police, and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), urging them to ensure the normal functioning of the supply chain for food, medicines, and other essential items along NH-2. However, he alleged that no effective action was taken.
"Since the state remained deaf to our repeated appeals, we were compelled to come out and reopen the supply chain of essential commodities along NH-2 ourselves," Kipgen said.
Although tensions have been temporarily de-escalated, the Kuki-Zo community decided that it would continue its agitation along National Highway-2 at Gamgiphai.
They also resolved to halt all vehicular movement, including vehicles carrying essential commodities, passenger services, and others, while allowing only verified medical emergency services, ambulances, and security force convoys.
Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills President Thangminlen Kipgen asserted that the Kuki-Zo community has not obstructed the movement of any community or disrupted the transportation of essential commodities despite the prevailing tensions since the outbreak of the conflict.
In contrast, the other community had enforced a prolonged economic blockade at Namdulong-Kanglatongbi on the Imphal side and at several locations on the Senapati side, prompting the Kuki-Zo community to impose a total shutdown in response, Kipgen recalled.
He said the shutdown was subsequently withdrawn after the government assured them that National Highway-2 would be reopened and the movement of essential commodities restored. However, he alleged that the assurance has remained unfulfilled despite more than 45 days of the blockade.
"The community has, therefore, decided to extend a helping hand to the government in reopening the highway. We are neither acting against the law nor have we come here with any violent intent or malicious motive," Kipgen said.
He further said that, with the intervention and assurance of the concerned authorities regarding the reopening of the blockade, we once again placed our trust in them and decided not to proceed further.
"However, we have also collectively resolved to continue this protest until the Government ensures the reopening of the highway blockade at Namduilong-Kanglatongbi and other affected locations," Thangminlen Kipgen said.
The latest development marks a significant escalation in the standoff over the prolonged blockade, with the continuing protest likely to intensify pressure on the authorities to restore normal movement along the strategic highway connecting the hill districts.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
