Members of the Kuki-Zo community, under the banner of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), staged a protest in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Monday, demanding the restoration of the movement of essential commodities along National Highway-2.
The demonstrators assembled at Taloulong before marching towards the buffer zone at Gamgiphai. However, security personnel stopped them from proceeding towards Kanglatongbi, where CoTU claims the movement of essential supplies has remained disrupted.
A brief confrontation followed as protesters attempted to advance. Security forces used tear gas shells and smoke bombs to disperse the crowd and prevent them from crossing the buffer zone.
Following the intervention, several protesters staged a sit-in on NH-2, demanding the immediate restoration of the uninterrupted supply of food, medicines and other essential commodities to Kuki-Zo inhabited areas. The protest briefly disrupted vehicular movement along the highway.
Addressing the media, CoTU spokesperson Ng. Lun Kipgen said the organisation’s primary demand was the restoration of the free movement of essential goods. He alleged that repeated appeals to the district administration, police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) over the issue had failed to produce any concrete action.
Kipgen also urged security agencies to remain impartial while carrying out their duties and appealed for the early reopening of the highway for the movement of essential supplies.
According to the protesters, prolonged restrictions along NH-2 have resulted in shortages of essential commodities and rising prices in Kuki-Zo dominated areas. They said the march was intended to draw the government’s attention to the issue and facilitate the restoration of normal supply routes.
While CoTU has repeatedly alleged that checkpoints and blockades have hampered the transportation of essential goods, there was no immediate response from the Manipur government or security agencies regarding the allegations.
Security personnel remained deployed in the area as authorities continued to monitor the situation.
