IMPHAL, June 21: Hundreds of Kuki-Zo residents staged protests across Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Sunday, enforcing an emergency shutdown along key national highways in protest against what civil society groups described as selective security operations targeting Kuki-Zo inhabited areas.
The shutdown, called by Kuki Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Kangpokpi, saw widespread participation in Kangpokpi, Saparmeina, Gamgiphai and several other Kuki-Zo dominated localities. Roads remained largely deserted, businesses shut down, and vehicular movement along National Highway-2 (NH-2) was significantly disrupted.
Addressing reporters, Kuki CSOs Kangpokpi spokesperson Janghaolun Haokip said the emergency highway shutdown was a collective decision by major Kuki civil society organisations in response to what they alleged were disproportionate security operations carried out by central forces in Kuki-Zo areas.
Meanwhile, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) announced an emergency bandh and shutdown along both NH-2 and National Highway-37 (NH-37), expressing concern over what it termed partial and selective security operations in the Leimakhong–Kangchup area. The organisation also alleged unequal protection for Kuki-Zo civilians.
The protests come amid growing discontent in Manipur’s hill districts following recent security operations. Kuki organisations have accused security agencies of disproportionately targeting Kuki villages and local village defence volunteers, allegations that have further heightened tensions in the conflict-hit state.
IMPHAL, June 21: Hundreds of Kuki-Zo residents staged protests across Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Sunday, enforcing an emergency shutdown along key national highways in protest against what civil society groups described as selective security operations targeting Kuki-Zo inhabited areas.
The shutdown, called by Kuki Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Kangpokpi, saw widespread participation in Kangpokpi, Saparmeina, Gamgiphai and several other Kuki-Zo dominated localities. Roads remained largely deserted, businesses shut down, and vehicular movement along National Highway-2 (NH-2) was significantly disrupted.
Addressing reporters, Kuki CSOs Kangpokpi spokesperson Janghaolun Haokip said the emergency highway shutdown was a collective decision by major Kuki civil society organisations in response to what they alleged were disproportionate security operations carried out by central forces in Kuki-Zo areas.
Meanwhile, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) announced an emergency bandh and shutdown along both NH-2 and National Highway-37 (NH-37), expressing concern over what it termed partial and selective security operations in the Leimakhong–Kangchup area. The organisation also alleged unequal protection for Kuki-Zo civilians.
The protests come amid growing discontent in Manipur’s hill districts following recent security operations. Kuki organisations have accused security agencies of disproportionately targeting Kuki villages and local village defence volunteers, allegations that have further heightened tensions in the conflict-hit state.
