A protest by members of the Kuki-Zo community under the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) on June 30 saw demonstrators march towards the buffer zone at Gamgiphai in Kangpokpi district, Manipur, demanding restoration of the free movement of essential commodities along National Highway-2 (NH-2). The march aimed to highlight alleged disruptions to supplies of food, medicines and other necessities to Kuki-Zo inhabited areas.
Protesters gathered at Taloulong before moving toward the buffer zone but were stopped by security forces deployed near Kanglatongbi, an area CoTU says has experienced continued disruption of goods movement. A brief standoff followed, after which security personnel used tear gas shells and smoke bombs to disperse the crowd and prevent the march from crossing the buffer zone.
Several demonstrators staged a sit-in on NH-2, blocking part of the highway and briefly affecting traffic. They demanded removal of what they described as restrictions on the movement of essential supplies and called for the supply route to be reopened immediately.
Speaking to reporters, CoTU spokesperson Ng. Lun Kipgen said the organisation was “seeking the restoration of the free movement of essential commodities” and urged authorities to resolve the issue promptly. He alleged that repeated representations to the district administration, police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) about disrupted supplies had not produced concrete action and appealed to security agencies to remain neutral while carrying out their duties.
Protesters said prolonged checkpoints and blockades in parts of NH-2 have led to shortages and rising prices in Kuki-Zo areas. CoTU has repeatedly demanded government intervention to ensure uninterrupted transportation of goods along the highway.
There was no immediate response from the state government or security agencies to the allegations. Security personnel remained deployed in the area to monitor the situation and maintain law and order.
