Manipur: CoTU reimposes economic blockade on NH-2 and NH-37

Volunteers were seen monitoring the movement of vehicles along the highways

The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) has once again imposed indefinite economic blockade along the National Highway-2 and National Highway-37 with effect from November 15 midnight. Both the highways pass through the Kangpokpi district.

Volunteers were seen monitoring the movement of vehicles along the highways checking vehicles carrying essential items.

Among other issues, the CoTU has decided to go for the economic blockade alleging indifference of the government machinery regarding dispensation of law and order in Kuki-Zo dominated areas.

Besides this, the CoTU is also demanding release of 2 persons presently in police custody. It has been alleged that both of them were arrested on prefabricated charges of abduction.

The CoTU has also alleged that the government has been ignoring its demands for which it has already been engaged in a series of agitation seeking meaningful resolution.

Earlier, on August 21 CoTU had reimposed the economic blockade demanding adequate supplies of essential commodities to Kuki-Zo communities in hill areas of the state. On October 4, the CoTU had decided to lift the blockade after over a month.

Since trouble erupted in Manipur on May 3, a series of intermittent blockades have affected the movement of vehicles along both the highways in the recent past. On July 3, the economic blockade was lifted following threadbare talks between various stakeholders.

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