Imphal: School students travelling to Kendriya Vidyalaya, Leimakhong, in Kangpokpi district were stopped by Kuki protesters at the Imphal West -Kangpokpi border on Friday morning, escalating tensions linked to the ongoing economic blockade in the area.The incident occurred around 7:30 am when around 30 students from different communities were on their way to school. Protesters stopped them near the Ex-Servicemen Colony and prevented them from moving ahead, telling them they would not be allowed to pass through.The protesters were demonstrating against an economic blockade enforced by Naga groups demanding justice for six Naga civilians abducted from Leilon Vaiphei, a Kuki village in Kangpokpi district, on May 13. Their mutilated and dismembered bodies were found on June 10, and family members have refused to claim the bodies, seeking justice first.The Naga-led blockade, backed by nearby Meitei residents, has disrupted essential supplies in Kangpokpi district. In recent days, Kuki protesters have twice marched towards Imphal West to dismantle checkpoints set up by the Nagas.After the students were stopped, they returned to Kanto Sabal in Imphal West, where parents and local residents gathered and condemned the action.At around 11:20 am, officers from the Red Shield Division of the Indian Army reached Kanto Sabal and held discussions with village representatives and parents to defuse the situation. Army officials advised lifting the economic blockade, but villagers reiterated that the blockade imposed jointly by Naga and Meitei groups would continue until justice is delivered for the killings of the six Naga civilians, which they attributed to Kuki militants.Army officers told residents incidents involving schoolchildren would not be allowed to recur and said steps would be taken to ensure safe student movement. Residents sought a written assurance, which the officers declined to provide.Speaking to reporters, Naga protester Ruth Thiumai said the blockade was launched by Nagas and nearby Meitei residents seeking justice for the killings. She said attempts were being made to pressure them into lifting the blockade without addressing their demands.She said Kuki civilians could be facing hardship due to the blockade, but insisted justice must come first. “The govt is saying operations were conducted, but so far there have been no arrests even when those allegedly involved in the abduction of Naga civilians were named. We will lift the blockade once justice is delivered,” she added.Paisho Thoumai, brother of pastor Manu Thiumai, one of the six victims, said more than 50 days passed since the abduction and killings, but the bodies remained in the morgue as families waited for justice.“We do not want more, and we do not want less. We only want justice for our brothers,” he said.He alleged the govtwassilent when Kukis blocked Meitei movement for more than three years and was now responding differently. “Now, even the Nagas also cannot move freely. But the govt seems concerned only when it affects the Kukis. We feel the govt is siding with the Kukis,” he alleged.
