Committee on Tribal Unity ‘temporarily suspends’ the 12 day long economic blockade in Manipur

The Committee on Tribal Unity on Monday announced the suspension of a 12-day "economic blockade" affecting two national highways that connect to Imphal, the Meitei dominated state capital of violence torn Manipur. The blockage on segments linking Dimapur (Nagaland) and Silchar (Assam) to Imphal had disrupted the supply of goods to the capital of Manipur and various other regions in the state.

The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), based in Kangpokpi, a district with a majority of Kuki residents, initiated a blockade on November 15 to express their discontentment with the “indifferent attitude of the concerned authority in dispensing law and order in Kuki-Zo inhabited areas.”

“The committee announced an economic blockade for the selective execution of law and order in Kuki-Zo areas. However, after considerable deliberation on the issue, the committee taking into understanding the hardship faced by fellow tribals in the area, has decided to temporarily suspend the economic blockade,” said the COTU, stating that the blockade being lifter will be re-evaluated and reimposed if the needed arises.

Since May 3, ethnic clashes that erupted between the Meiteis and the Kukis in Manipur resulted in the tragic loss of 182 lives, and approximately 50,000 people have been displaced as a consequence of the conflicts.