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CoTU Announces 12-Hour Total Shutdown in Kangpokpi on Nov 30

First Published: 29th November, 2024 21:42 IST

The move comes in response to the abduction of a Military Engineer Services (MES) employee from the Army cantonment in the area

The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) has declared a 12-hour total shutdown on Saturday from 4:00 AM to 4:00 PM, to protest what it describes as “unwarranted road restrictions” imposed by the Army near Leimakhong.

The move comes in response to the abduction of a Military Engineer Services (MES) employee from the Army cantonment in the area, an incident CoTU has condemned while supporting ongoing rescue operations.

Laishram Kamalbabu, a 56-year-old supervisor employed with M/s L. Binod Construction, went missing on November 25, 2024.

However, CoTU criticised the subsequent imposition of road restrictions, labelling them “regrettable.” The Committee highlighted the deteriorating situation in Manipur, noting that since May 2023, the Kuki-Zo community has been forcibly displaced from the Imphal valley by the Meitei community. This displacement has resulted in a stark geographical divide, with the Kuki-Zo confined to the hills and the Meitei restricted to the valley, significantly impacting free movement.

CoTU emphasised the urgent need for secure and unrestricted road connectivity for hill residents, who face constant threats from valley-based militants. It called for alternative measures to ensure safety without restricting mobility, framing the shutdown as a protest against these curbs.

Moreover, CoTU has planned mass protests at key locations, including Gamgiphai, Saparmeina, Keithelmanbi Military Colony, and Brig. M. Thomas Ground Kangpokpi. Demonstrations will also occur across Saikul, Leimakhong, Kangchup, New Keithelmanbi, and the Twilang Region.

The Committee has directed the Kuki-Zo community to suspend all travel, fieldwork, and business operations, urging full participation in the shutdown.

It called on stakeholders to prioritise the safety and freedom of movement for the hill communities, marking the protest as a resolute stand against perceived injustices.

Also Read: Manipur CM N Biren Singh Assures Efforts to Rescue Missing Manipuri Man from Assam in Leimakhong, Kangpokpi

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