Manipur: Kuki CSO announces indefinite NH-202 blockade, rejects kidnapping allegations

The Working Committee of Kuki Civil Society Organisations (WCKCSOs)-Ukhrul has announced an indefinite counter-economic blockade on National Highway-202, alleging prolonged disruption in the supply of essential commodities to Kuki-Zo inhabited areas and rejecting allegations that volunteers involved in the agitation had kidnapped a civilian.

In a statement, the committee said the blockade, which came into effect from midnight on July 26, followed consultations with Kuki-Zo civil society organisations from Ukhrul and Kangpokpi districts.

The organisation said the protest was prompted by what it described as continued shortages of essential commodities in Kuki-Zo villages and alleged inadequate action by the authorities to restore the free movement of goods.

According to the committee, the blockade will continue until the government takes concrete steps to ensure the uninterrupted supply of essential commodities through NH-202.

The WCKCSOs said vehicles carrying patients during medical emergencies, passenger vehicles, travellers heading to airports and security forces would be allowed to pass after inspection to ensure they were not transporting commercial goods. It also announced the temporary closure of government and private institutions in 14 Kuki-Zo villages during the course of the agitation.

The committee expressed regret over the inconvenience likely to be caused by the blockade but maintained that it had resorted to the protest after exhausting other means of raising its concerns.

In a separate statement, the organisation alleged bias in policing and questioned the handling of law and order issues in parts of Ukhrul district. It also raised concerns over what it termed inconsistencies in recent police actions and investigations, calling for impartial enforcement of the law.

The WCKCSOs further rejected allegations that an Indian Overseas Bank employee, identified as Kharaingam Jaojo, had been kidnapped by blockade volunteers along the Shangkai-Mahadev stretch of NH-202.

The committee described the allegation as false and said 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 organisation also maintained that the alleged kidnapping was unlikely given the heavy deployment of security personnel along the highway.

Appealing to the public and media, the WCKCSOs urged people to verify information before circulating it, stating that misinformation could further aggravate tensions in the conflict-affected state.

There was no immediate response from the Manipur Police or other security agencies to the allegations made by the organisation.