Manipur Violence: Tribal group blocks NH-2, NH-37 leading to Imphal Valley again
Manipur Violence: Alleging a blockade of essential items reaching Kuki communities in hill districts by Meitei groups, a Kuki group in Manipur's strife-torn Kangpokpi district reimposed a "complete economic blockade" of NH-2 and NH-37 in Kangpokpi and Jiribam districts, respectively, from Sunday midnight.
The blockade of two critical national highways, one from Dimapur (Nagaland) to Imphal and the other from Karimganj (Assam) to Imphal, by the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), could seriously disrupt the supply of products and essentials to the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley.
"An economic blockade of the two national highways has been imposed because Meitei groups are preventing essential supplies, including medicines, from reaching our areas."
"Only supply of medicines would be exempted by the blockades, which will continue till there is smooth movement of goods to Kuki areas,” Ng. Lun Kipgen, media cell coordinator of COTU, stated.
According to the Kuki group, despite the removal of the NH-2 blockade in Kangpokpi in June in response to a request from union home minister Amit Shah, Meitei groups have not reciprocated and have imposed blockades on roads leading to hill districts where Kukis are in majority, preventing the movement of essential goods.
On August 16, COTU issued a three-day ultimatum to the Centre and state government to ensure the resumption of the necessary supplies, including medicines.
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- With inputs from agencies
