Imphal, March 13: The Naga People’s Organisation (NPO) has strongly condemned the ongoing indefinite shutdown imposed by the Kuki-Zo groups in the hilly areas of Manipur and issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the government to lift it. The NPO warned of serious consequences if the demand is not met within the given timeframe.

Normal life has been badly affected due to the shutdown, which has been imposed by Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) to oppose the resumption of the bus services between state capital Imphal and the hill districts in the tribal areas and police action in tribal areas on March 8.

The violent confrontation on March 8 between police and protesters, sparked by the resumption of bus services on the Imphal-Kangpokpi-Senapati and Imphal-Bishnupur-Churachandpur routes, left 43 people injured, including 27 security personnel, and led to the death of a protester in Kangpokpi. The decision to restart bus services was part of the government’s aim to restore normalcy in the state following Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s directive for “free movement” across the state.

The shutdown, which entered its fifth consecutive day on Thursday, has affected livelihoods, transportation, and access to essential services, causing immense hardship to the general public. The NPO has urged the government to take immediate action to restore normalcy, warning that the Naga community will take its own course of action if the shutdown is not lifted.

The organisation further demanded the government to ensure restoration of essential services, failing which it would explore legal recourse and other measures to address the crisis.

How the shutdown affects Naga communities 

While the shutdown is mainly imposed in the Kuki-Zo dominated areas like Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, and Pherzawl districts, the blockades on national highways – NH 37 and NH 2 – have disrupted the supply lines and severely affected those depending on them.

NH 37, also called Jiribam-Imphal Highway, connects Jiribam (on the Manipur-Assam border) to Imphal and passes through Naga areas – Tamenglong and Noney. NH 2, also called the Imphal-Dimapur Highway, connects Dimapur (Nagaland) to Imphal and passes through Kuki dominated areas.

NH 2 has been subjected to regular blockades by Kuki organizations ever since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur. On the other hand, although NH 37 doesn’t really pass through Kuki dominated areas but the Kuki Students’ Organisation – Jiribam & Tamenglong (KSO J&T) has enforced a blockade on the highway, a move opposed by the Rongmei Naga Council Manipur (RNCM).

Over 500 trucks stranded

Reportedly, approximately 200 trucks bound for Imphal have been stranded at various locations in Jiribam and Noney districts along NH-37 since the shutdown began. This includes 64 oil tankers, 34 LPG carriers, and several trucks carrying essential commodities stuck in Jiribam. Meanwhile, in Noney, 28 oil tankers, 17 bullet tankers (bulk LPG carriers), and 27 trucks loaded with essential goods remain stranded.

Additionally, on NH-2 (Imphal-Mao sector), over 300 loaded trucks have been stranded between Hengbung and Tumuyon Khullen in Senapati district since the shutdown began.

The ethnic violence between the tribal Kuki-Zo and non-tribal Meitei communities in Manipur erupted on May 3, 2023. The conflict has resulted in atleast 258 deaths and displaced more than 60,000 individuals, with thousands seeking refuge in relief camps across various districts. The unrest began following a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ protesting the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The violence has resulted in extensive property damage, including the destruction of numerous homes and religious sites.

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