Manipur: CoTU threatens to reimpose economic blockade on NH 2 & 37 from August 17 onwards

The Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills (CoTU) Kangpokpi District has served a 3-day ultimatum with effect from August 17 to re-imposed highway blockade along National Highway (NH) 2 and 37 if essential commodities failed to reach the Kuki-Zo inhabited areas.

The decision of the CoTU to re-impose the economic blockade along the National Highway 2 (Imphal-Dimapur road), and National Highway 37 (Imphal-Jiribam road) came ahead of the political talks between the UPD and KNO and the Government of India tomorrow, i.e. August 17 at the national capital, New Delhi.

CoTU's Media Cell Coordinator, Ng. Lun Kipgen said that the Union Home Minister during his visit to Kangpokpi under his "Peace Mission" initiative, appealed to the public to open the National Highways passing through Kangpokpi district as a "Goodwill Gesture".

He continued that the goodwill intention of the Union Home Minister had been accepted by the UPF and KNO, the two conglomerate organizations of the Kuki SoO militants under talks with the Government and thus resolved to lift the economic blockade.

However, contrary to the goodwill gesture, the valley community is still adamant in blocking the supply of essential commodities to the Kuki-Zo inhabited areas, he alleged.

He also said that CoTU is deeply anguished by the abhorrent outcome of the highway politics, as the community is being prevented from assessing essential commodities from the valley including relief materials, medical supplies and other basic goods meant for the Kuki-Zo indicated areas.

''Such flagitious acts have been continuously carried out by the Meitei womenfolk (the Meira Paibis) and the Meitei radical groups by enforcing law and order beyond their control,'' he asserted.

He then said that keeping the sentiment of the public intact, the CoTU is compelled to serve an ultimatum of three days to the Government of India to stop the radicalized Meira Paibis and the Meitei extremist groups from blocking goods to transport into Kuki-Zo inhabited areas.

Kipgen also said that if the essential commodities meant for the Kuki-Zo inhabited areas failed to reach within the stipulated time, we will be compelled to re-impose the already lifted economic blockade along National Highway 2 and National Highway 37.

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