Imphal, July 1: Hundreds of Kuki-Zo protesters continued their sit-in at Gamgiphai in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on June 30, declaring that the demonstration would remain in place until the authorities restore the movement of essential commodities along National Highway-2.
The protest stems from concerns over the prolonged disruption of traffic on key routes, which community leaders allege has affected the supply of food, medicines and other essential goods to Kuki-Zo inhabited areas.
Earlier in the day, demonstrators marched towards the buffer zone at Gamgiphai with the intention of proceeding further. Security forces, however, stopped the procession at the buffer zone, resulting in a brief confrontation. During the incident, some protesters reportedly sustained injuries and were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The situation later de-escalated after officials from the district administration and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) held discussions with representatives of the community.
Despite the talks, community leaders announced that the sit-in along National Highway-2 would continue. They stated that only emergency services, ambulances and security force convoys would be permitted to pass while the protest remains underway, as pressure is maintained on the authorities to address their demands.
Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills president Thangminlen Kipgen alleged that the community has not obstructed the movement of essential commodities since the outbreak of the conflict but claimed that prolonged blockades at Namduilong-Kanglatongbi and other locations have significantly disrupted supplies to Kuki-Zo inhabited areas.
Kipgen said the community had previously withdrawn its own shutdown after receiving assurances from the government that normal traffic movement would be restored. However, he alleged that the promised reopening of the highway has yet to materialise.
“We have decided to continue this protest until the government ensures the reopening of the highway at Namduilong-Kanglatongbi and other affected locations,” he said.
The protest is expected to continue as community leaders await further action from the authorities on restoring normal movement along the strategic highway.
