Kuki Indefinite shutdown leaves 667 vehicles stranded on highways

Imphal: The indefinite shutdown imposed by Kuki groups along national highways in Manipur, in defiance of Union Home minister Amit Shah’s directives for free movement, left 667 vehicles stranded along the Imphal-Dimapur highway (NH-2) on Tuesday.

The shutdown, spearheaded by the Kuki Zo Council (KZC), a Kuki body began at midnight on Saturday in protest against the Centre’s directive for free movement and the killing of a protester at Keithelmanbi, Kangpokpi district (Kuki dominated area) on Saturday morning.

KZC issued two separate statements one announcing the withdrawal of the shutdown and another later reversing the decision after failing to reach an amicable solution with government officials and the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), a Kuki body.

The Rongmei Naga Council Manipur (RNCM), a Naga organization, on Sunday expressed regret over the defiance of long-standing agreements that ensured peaceful coexistence among communities.

“It was honorably settled that no such imposition or disturbances that may jeopardize peace between communities should be made on National Highway 37 (Imphal-Silchar road),” it said.

The Naga body urged Kuki leaders to lift the shutdown and work toward lasting peace.

As a result of the national highway shutdown, at least 667 vehicles including 304 essential commodity trucks, 13 passenger buses, and 350 passenger mini buses were stranded along NH-2 between Hangbung Police Post and Khulen in Kangpokpi district.

Sources said the Senapati District Truck Owners’ Association, Senapati District Drivers’ Union, and the Manipur Drivers’ Association, with the support of Senapati district police, have been providing food and drinking water to stranded drivers.

During security operations on Saturday in Kangpokpi district, one protester succumbed to a bullet injury, and 45 others were injured.

Manipur Police reported that 27 security personnel sustained injuries to heavy stone-pelting, the use of catapults and random firing by armed miscreants among the protesters. Two of them were critically injured.

Security forces exercised restraint, using minimal force to counter the violence which included gunfire from armed elements within the protest.