Kuki-Zo groups protest in Manipur’s Kangpokpi, demand reopening of roads, medical access

Thousands of Kuki-Zo people took to the streets in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on August 31, demanding the restoration of unrestricted movement of essential supplies and medical services to affected hill areas.

The protest, organised by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), came amid heightened tensions following the attack on N Teikhang Kuki-Zo village in the Twilang region. Protesters also raised concerns over what they described as the growing influence of “Kacha Naga Tangkhul and Liangmei supremacist ideology” in the hill areas.

The rally was held under the banner “Equality for All, No to Supremacy, Kangpokpi Stands for Peace”. Protesters marched from Nute Kailhang in downtown Kangpokpi to the office of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen in uptown Kangpokpi, passing through NH-2.

CoTU alleged that the movement of food, other essential commodities and medical supplies to Kuki-Zo settlements in Chawangkining, Thonglang and Makui along the IT Road, as well as Taphou Naga along NH-2, had been obstructed since May 13.

The organisation accused the authorities of failing to address the situation and called for immediate measures to restore the movement of essential supplies, healthcare services and security personnel.

A complete shutdown was observed across Kangpokpi during the protest. Shops, businesses and private and government institutions remained closed, while vehicular movement along NH-2 was stopped from both ends. The shutdown was lifted after the rally ended.

Protesters carried placards and raised slogans including “Open IT Road”, “NSCN-IM Is Responsible for Hills Conflict” and “Stop Selective Security Operations Against Kuki-Zo Civilians”.

Addressing reporters, CoTU spokesperson Ng Lun Kipgen said the government needed to act immediately to restore what he called “civility and the rule of law” in Kangpokpi and adjoining hill areas.

Kipgen said nearly 110 days had passed since May 13 and alleged that restrictions on the movement of goods had adversely affected the Kuki-Zo population.

“If the government wants and is sincere enough to resolve this issue, I think the first step is to open the unconstitutional blockade being carried out by a section of the Liangmei Naga community and deploy Central Security Forces in the fringe areas bordering the warring communities,” he said.

He also appealed to members of the Liangmei Naga community to reject violence and work towards restoring normal relations between the communities.

Kipgen further alleged that political interests were contributing to the ongoing crisis and urged the Government of India to take measures to restore normalcy in Manipur.

Following the rally, CoTU submitted a memorandum to Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, outlining its demands for government intervention, civilian security, uninterrupted access to essential services and long-term peace in the affected areas.

Among its key demands was the removal of checkpoints at Thonglang and Chawangkining along the IT Road and at Taphou Naga on NH-2. The organisation alleged that the checkpoints were restricting the movement of essential supplies to Kuki-Zo settlements.

CoTU also sought guaranteed safe passage for ambulances and healthcare workers, including doctors and nurses, travelling from Kangpokpi to Kuki-Zo settlements and the T Waichong Primary Health Centre.

The group called for the deployment of Central Security Forces at Chalwa, S Songpibung, Thenjang and other sensitive areas along the boundary between Kuki-Zo and Kacha Naga settlements.

It also demanded that Chalwa, Leimakhong and Kangchup police stations be made fully functional, and sought an immediate resolution to what it termed “overlapping police jurisdiction” over Taphou Kuki.

According to CoTU, Taphou Kuki falls within Kangpokpi revenue district, and the extension of Senapati Police jurisdiction into the area has created security concerns for residents of Taphou Kuki and Hengbung.