Manipur: Naga groups vow to continue NH-2 blockade, accuse government of bias

The economic blockade enforced by Naga organisations over the killing of six Naga civilians continued to disrupt the movement of essential commodities along National Highway-2 in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Thursday, with protesters preventing goods-laden vehicles from entering the district.

 

A large number of demonstrators gathered at Namdinglong in the Kanglatongbi area, blocking the highway and halting the supply of essential goods bound for Kangpokpi. Members of Meira Paibi groups and several valley-based organisations also visited the protest site and joined the agitation.

 

Speaking to reporters, Naga Humanitarian Aid Committee Manipur representative Landingam Kamei said the protest was aimed at securing justice for the six Naga civilians who, he alleged, were killed by suspected "Kuki terrorists". He claimed that indigenous Naga and Meitei communities should unite against "illegal immigrants who are promoting acts of terrorism" in the state.

 

Kamei said the blockade would continue "until and unless" the government delivered justice for the victims. He also warned that "serious action" would be taken against anyone, including non-Manipuris, found transporting goods to people living in Kangpokpi.

 

Responding to questions from the media, he claimed the government had not officially approached the protesters to end the blockade. Instead, he alleged that security forces were being used to escort supplies into Kangpokpi.

 

Drawing comparisons with the ethnic conflict that erupted in 2023, Kamei alleged that Kuki groups had blocked National Highway-2 for nearly three years, restricting the movement of Meiteis. He said the current blockade was launched by Naga organisations after six Naga civilians were allegedly killed by Kuki groups.

 

"It has been almost three years" since Kuki groups blocked the national highway, he claimed, adding that when Naga organisations blocked the route "for just a few months", they were accused of violating human rights. "Why are they acting with double standards and playing the victim card?" he asked.

 

Kamei further alleged that the government was showing bias against indigenous communities. According to him, Nagas have faced restrictions on movement through Kuki-dominated areas since the conflict began, often forcing them to take longer routes to reach Naga villages. At the same time, he claimed Kuki residents were being escorted under security protection between Kangpokpi and Imphal and were able to travel freely.