Kangpokpi, June 30: A protest organised by members of the Kuki-Zo community under the banner of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) was stopped by security forces in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on June 30 as demonstrators attempted to march towards the buffer zone at Gamgiphai to demand the restoration of the movement of essential commodities along National Highway-2.
The protesters gathered at Taloulong before beginning their march towards the buffer zone. Security personnel deployed in the area prevented them from proceeding towards Kanglatongbi, where CoTU has alleged that the transportation of essential goods has remained disrupted.
The situation briefly escalated into a standoff between the demonstrators and the security forces. To prevent the protesters from crossing the buffer zone, security personnel used tear gas shells and smoke bombs to disperse the crowd.
Following the confrontation, several protesters remained seated on National Highway-2, continuing their demonstration and demanding the restoration of the movement of food, medicines and other essential supplies. The protest briefly affected traffic movement along the highway.
Addressing the media, CoTU spokesperson Ng. Lun Kipgen said the organisation was seeking the immediate restoration of the free movement of essential commodities and urged the authorities to resolve the issue without further delay. He alleged that repeated representations submitted to the district administration, police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) regarding the disruption of supply routes had not resulted in any concrete action.
Kipgen also appealed to security agencies to remain neutral while carrying out their duties and expressed hope that the transportation of essential goods along National Highway-2 would soon resume normally.
According to the protesters, the continued restrictions on the highway have resulted in shortages of essential commodities and rising prices in Kuki-Zo inhabited areas. They maintained that the march was intended to draw attention to these concerns and facilitate the reopening of the supply route.
CoTU has previously alleged that checkpoints and blockades along sections of National Highway-2 have affected the movement of essential commodities and has repeatedly sought government intervention to ensure uninterrupted transportation.
There was no immediate response from the state government or security agencies regarding the allegations raised by the protesters. Security personnel continued to remain deployed in the area as authorities monitored the situation to maintain law and order.
