Imphal: The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), a Kuki-Zo body, has served a 48-hour ultimatum to the Centre and the Manipur govt, demanding intervention to ensure unobstructed movement of essential commodities, goods, medicines and daily necessities along the national and inter-state highways passing through Kangpokpi district.In a statement on Saturday, CoTU said a joint deliberation with all civil society organisations of Kangpokpi district unanimously resolved to issue the ultimatum, effective from Saturday midnight.It alleged the road transportation has been severely disrupted due to ongoing blockades and the operation of unauthorised checkpoints and gates allegedly manned by Naga groups. “This has caused immense hardship to all communities residing in Manipur, particularly the people of Kangpokpi district, affecting the transportation of essential commodities, medical supplies, commercial goods, and free movement of public,” the CoTU statement said.It said that despite repeated appeals, authorities have failed to restore normalcy and ensure unobstructed movement along the highways.CoTU demanded that the Manipur govt, in coordination with the Centre and security agencies, remove all unauthorised checkpoints and restore unrestricted access to the highways within the stipulated. It warned that if the demand is not met, the Kuki-Zo community would undertake appropriate and pre-emptive democratic measures to safeguard public interests, rights and security.CoTU said responsibility for any untoward incident arising from authorities’ failure to address the issue would rest with the Manipur govt and concerned authorities for their inability to maintain law and order and ensure the free movement of citizens.Notably, Naga groups have enforced the blockade demanding justice for six Naga civilians who they allege were abducted and murdered by Kuki militants belonging to the KNF-P.The NH-2, which passes through Kangpokpi, has remained inaccessible to valley residents, especially the Meitei community, since ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities began in May 2023, with Kuki-Zo groups enforcing illegal check posts and blockades along the route.
