Ukhrul: Fresh tensions have been reported along the Imphal-Ukhrul route following escorted vehicles from Ukhrul being forcibly stopped and goods seized from commuters at Shangkai, a Kuki village near Litan Police Station, located along the National Highway 202 on Monday.
According to sources, the incident occurred around 10 am when escorted vehicles, including passenger vehicles and private cars, were forcibly stopped.
In a widely circulated video, goods and commodities carried by commuters were allegedly offloaded by womenfolk at Shangkai village after they forcefully stopped the escorted vehicles. The security forces, including Manipur police, were also seen at the scene.
However, no official statement from the security agencies is available at the time of this report.
Meanwhile, the Kuki CSO Working Committee (WCKCSOs)-Ukhrul has enforced a counter economic blockade on NH-202, effective from midnight of 26 July 2026 following consultations with Kuki-Zo civil society organisations of Ukhrul and Kangpokpi.
In a statement, the Kuki CSO Working Committee (WCKCSOs)-Ukhrul noted that this is not a decision born out of choice, but out of compulsion.
The WCKCSOs, Ukhrul stated that for months, the Kuki-Zo people of Ukhrul, Kamjong and Kangpokpi have endured the continued obstruction of essential commodities while the Government watched in silence.
“We submitted memoranda, held meetings, accepted assurances, exercised restraint, and gave the authorities every opportunity to act. Every promise faded into empty words, while our people continued to bear the consequences,” they said.
Having exhausted every peaceful avenue, the Kuki CSO Working Committee (WCKCSOs)-Ukhrul, stated that it resolved ti enforce a counter economic blockade on NH-202 from Sunday midnight onwards. The blockade will remain in force until the Government ensures the free movement of essential commodities through concrete action, not mere assurances.
During the blockade, medical emergencies, passenger vehicles, travellers proceeding to catch flights, and Security Forces will be allowed after due inspection to ensure that no goods are transported. All government and private institutions within the jurisdiction of the 14 Kuki-Zo villages will also remain closed until further notice, it stated.
The WCKCSOs further expressed regret for the inconvenience that the decision may cause. However, it maintained that a people denied their basic necessities cannot be expected to remain silent indefinitely. The responsibility for this situation rests solely with the authorities whose prolonged inaction has left us with no option but to resort to this democratic form of protest, it stated.
WCKCSOs also urged all Kuki-Zo blockade enforcers to remain vigilant and come fully prepared, as past experience has repeatedly shown that the Governments of Manipur and India invoke the full might of the State only when the Kuki-Zo people demand justice through democratic means, while displaying remarkable indifference towards similar blockades enforced by Meitei and Naga groups, it added.