Manipur Congress Vice President Dr. Lamtinthang Haokip has made a heartfelt appeal to Naga civil society groups to lift the ongoing bandh along the Kangpokpi-Churachandpur route, citing its severe impact on humanitarian relief efforts in the violence-affected region.In a letter addressed to the President and Secretary of the Foot Hills Naga Co-ordinating Committee (FNC), Dr. Haokip called for the temporary relaxation of the shutdown in the interest of displaced and distressed communities, particularly the Kuki population, still reeling from the ethnic unrest that erupted on May 3, 2023.
The bandh, imposed by Naga organisations over local grievances, has disrupted travel and severely hampered the delivery of essential supplies, medical aid, and rehabilitation assistance to conflict-affected zones. Relief convoys, medical transport, and NGO teams have faced significant delays, compounding the humanitarian crisis on the ground.Haokip acknowledged the FNC’s role in the broader peace discourse, stating, “Despite the immense challenges, there are early signs of progress. The path to peace and reconciliation is being shaped by the contributions of various communities, including our Naga brothers and sisters.”He appealed to the Naga bodies to prioritize compassion over confrontation and allow relief operations to proceed without obstruction. “This is not a political request, but a humanitarian one,” he wrote, emphasizing that true leadership lies in alleviating the pain of others.
The Congress leader also dispatched copies of the appeal to key organisations including the Rongmei Naga Council (RNC), Liangmai Naga Council (Eastern Zone), and Rongmei Naga Youth Movement (RNYM/OM-NTL), calling for a coordinated response that transcends ethnic divisions and promotes collective healing.Over the past year, Manipur has witnessed deepening communal tensions, large-scale displacement, and tragic loss of life and property. The blockade, which began as a protest mechanism, is now increasingly seen as an obstacle to the fragile recovery underway in affected districts.Dr. Haokip’s intervention has been welcomed by several humanitarian groups and civil society leaders, who have echoed the need to keep humanitarian channels open even amid unresolved political issues.
