The Working Committee of Kuki Civil Society Organisations (WCKCSOs)-Ukhrul has announced an indefinite counter-economic blockade along National Highway-202, alleging prolonged disruption in the supply of essential commodities to Kuki-Zo inhabited areas and demanding immediate government intervention.
According to a statement issued by the committee, the blockade came into effect from midnight on July 26 following consultations with Kuki-Zo civil society organisations from Ukhrul and Kangpokpi districts.
The organisation alleged that Kuki-Zo villages have been facing persistent shortages of essential goods and claimed that the authorities have failed to ensure the uninterrupted movement of supplies.
The WCKCSOs said the blockade would remain in force until the government takes concrete measures to restore the regular transportation of essential commodities through NH-202.
However, the committee clarified that vehicles carrying patients during medical emergencies, passenger vehicles, airport-bound travellers and security personnel would be allowed to pass after inspection to ensure they were not transporting commercial goods.
As part of the agitation, the organisation also announced the temporary closure of government and private institutions in 14 Kuki-Zo villages.
Expressing regret over the inconvenience likely to be caused, the committee maintained that the protest was launched only after other efforts to raise the issue failed to yield results.
In a separate statement, the WCKCSOs also alleged bias in policing and questioned the handling of law-and-order issues in parts of Ukhrul district. The organisation called for impartial enforcement of the law, claiming inconsistencies in recent police actions and investigations.
The committee also rejected allegations that volunteers enforcing the blockade had kidnapped Kharaingam Jaojo, an employee of the Indian Overseas Bank, along the Shangkai-Mahadev stretch of NH-202.
Describing the allegation as baseless, the organisation asserted that no civilian had been detained during the blockade. It acknowledged intercepting an India Post vehicle but claimed that only commercial goods allegedly being transported in violation of the blockade were seized, while the driver, vehicle and postal consignments were allowed to continue.
The WCKCSOs further argued that the alleged kidnapping was improbable given the heavy deployment of security personnel along the highway.
Appealing to the public and media, the committee urged people to verify information before sharing it, warning that misinformation could further aggravate the already fragile situation in Manipur.
There was no immediate response from the Manipur Police or other security agencies regarding the allegations made by the organisation.
