3 weeks ago
Manipur Kuki body lifts 16-day blockade, NH-2 to reopen
There is a state in India called Manipur that is connected to the rest of the country by big roads.
Some groups of people in Manipur were not getting along, and one community blocked a big road to protest unfair treatment.
This meant trucks carrying food and supplies could not pass for 16 days, and many drivers got stuck for about two weeks.
Leaders from the state government and the community group met on Tuesday to talk about the problem.
They made an agreement so that the road would be safe and no one would block it again.
The government promised that important supplies would be allowed to move freely for everyone.
So the community group agreed to stop blocking the road.
More than 460 trucks full of goods started moving again on the highway.
This brought relief to transporters, shopkeepers, and people who needed supplies.
The Kuki CSO Working Committee (WCKCSO) lifted its 16-day counter-economic blockade and total shutdown on Tuesday afternoon, reopening highways for all communities.
The blockade, enforced from July 27 and intensified into a total shutdown from August 5, had stranded more than 460 goods-carrying vehicles, mostly trucks, for around two weeks.
The decision followed a meeting at Shangkai in Ukhrul district between the committee and a Manipur government delegation led by Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh and BJP MLA Thokchom Radheshyam Singh.
A handwritten agreement was signed under which the government took responsibility for the safety and security of the highway and preventing any group from blocking or disrupting movement.
The government said an agreement had been reached between Tangkhul Naga and Meitei groups to end the selective economic blockade against the Kuki-Zo community, with the WCKCSO citing assurances of free and non-discriminatory movement of essential commodities.
- Who
- The Kuki CSO Working Committee (WCKCSO), a Manipur government delegation led by Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh and BJP MLA Thokchom Radheshyam Singh, and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh.
- What
- WCKCSO lifted its 16-day counter-economic blockade and total shutdown, allowing more than 460 stranded goods vehicles to resume their journey on the highway.
- Where
- Along the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2) and the Imphal-Ukhrul Road (NH-202) in Manipur, with the agreement meeting held at Shangkai Village in Ukhrul district.
- When
- Tuesday afternoon; the counter-economic blockade had been enforced from July 27 and intensified into a total shutdown from August 5.
- Why
- The government said an agreement had been reached between Tangkhul Naga and Meitei groups to end the selective economic blockade against the Kuki-Zo community, and it assured free and non-discriminatory movement of essential commodities.
Kuki tribal body's position
Government and affected public's position
Reason for the blockade
Kuki tribal body's position
WCKCSO said a selective economic blockade was being enforced along the national highway against the Kuki-Zo tribal community, prompting its counter-economic blockade and total shutdown as a protest.
Government and affected public's position
The government and affected public stressed that the blockade stranded hundreds of goods vehicles for about two weeks and hit transporters, traders and the general public, making the reopening of the vital lifeline necessary.
Restrictions on highways
Kuki tribal body's position
Community groups imposed blockades and movement restrictions on stretches of NH-2 and NH-202 because of ethnic violence and tensions, and the Kuki group acted in response to being blockaded.
Government and affected public's position
The state government announced the reopening of key national highways for free movement of people from all communities, noting that restrictions on critical stretches were disrupting the supply of essential goods, fuel and medicines.
Key facts
- Blockade duration
- 16 days
- Blockade start date
- July 27
- Total shutdown start date
- August 5
- Stranded vehicles released
- More than 460 goods-carrying vehicles (mostly trucks)
- Highways affected
- Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2) and Imphal-Ukhrul Road (NH-202)
- Meeting location
- Shangkai Village, Ukhrul district
- Government negotiators
- Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh and BJP MLA Thokchom Radheshyam Singh
- Agreement type
- Handwritten agreement on safety, security and no-blockade assurance for the highway
Quotes
Govindas Singh, Manipur Home Minister
Manipur state Home Minister
“Under the directive of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a meeting was held with the Kuki CSO Working Committee (WCKCSO) at Shangkai Village in Ukhrul district on Tuesday. After a long and detailed discussion, the WCKCSO finally agreed to lift the Counter Economic Blockade and Total Shutdown along National Highway-2”
thehansindia.com
“In view of this development and the government's assurance of free and non-discriminatory movement of essential commodities, the WCKCSO lifted the counter economic blockade and total shutdown from Tuesday afternoon”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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