Manipur: Women protest for free Meitei movement on NH-2 amid alleged Kuki opposition

Members of the women’s organisation Imagi Meira, who have been protesting for free movement along National Highway-2, attempted to march along the highway today but were stopped by security forces at Kanglatongbi.

The group, protesting since September 5 at Sekmai Bazaar under the banner “Agitation for Free Movement along the National Highway,” intensified their demonstration by trying to proceed along the highway. Security personnel intervened to prevent the march, citing safety concerns.

Addressing the media, Thokchom Sujata, convenor of Imagi Meira, said their protest aims to ensure that Meitei residents can move freely along the highway. She alleged that while the government announced the reopening of the highway on September 4, the Kuki community has opposed unrestricted access in certain buffer zones.

Also Read: ‘No illegal settlements from beyond borders’: Manipur governor in Churachandpur

Sujata further claimed that despite submitting a memorandum urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the effective implementation of free movement, the issue was ignored in his speech. She accused the central government of colluding to restrict movement: “If central forces protect, why can’t we move along the National Highway? Their prohibition at Kanglatongbi shows free movement is being intentionally blocked,” she said.

The protest escalated into verbal arguments with central and state security forces, who repeatedly asked the women to halt for their own safety.