Blockade Lifted From National Highway In Manipur After 2 Months

Imphal: United Peoples’ Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organisation (KNO), two umbrella Kuki organisations, have withdrawn roadblocks on National Highway 2 (NH-2) in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district.

The two organisations, which represent among others former militant groups that have signed suspension of operations pacts with the government, said in a joint statement that the blockade on the highway has been lifted with immediate effect following an appeal by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, reported PTI.

The organisations stated that Shah had shown “deep concern to restore peace and harmony” in the state.

However, Kuki civil society group Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), which had announced a roadblock on NH-2 two months ago, has not yet officially withdrawn the agitation.

There are two national highways in Manipur — NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam).

NH-2 has been blocked by Kuki organisations since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3. It was only temporarily opened following Shah’s visit to the north-eastern state in late May.

“The decision was taken after wide-ranging consultations with civil society organisations, village chiefs and women leaders on several occasions,” the joint statement said.

Over 100 people have lost their lives so far in ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur.