CoTU weaponizes NH-2, calls 24-hour shutdown
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 9: The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) has yet again weaponized the National Highway-2 with a 24-hour shutdown imposed on the State's lifeline from midnight of April 9 to midnight of April 10.
The 24-hour shutdown of the NH-2 was imposed condemning "an alleged shooting of a man at Shantipur in Kangpokpi."
CoTU, Sadar Hills has alleged that the man was "shot at point-blank range by armed Meitei militants."
The incident allegedly occurred late on Wednesday night at around 10, when one of three Kuki-Zo men was shot at Shantipur between the fringe area of Gamgiphai in Kangpokpi district and Sekmai in Imphal West.
The man, whose identity has not been revealed, sustained bullet injury on his left arm.
The person was rushed to a hospital in Kangpokpi where doctors successfully operated on him and removed the lodged bullet. The person is said to be currently under observation and out of immediate danger.
Reacting to the incident, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) Sadar Hills in a statement announced a 24-hour total shutdown in the entire Kangpokpi district from midnight of April 9 till midnight of April 10.
CoTU, in the same statement, said the shutdown would continue as a mark of protest until the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice.
It said essential services, including medical emergencies, water supply, electricity, funeral processions, and air passengers, would be exempted from the shutdown.
“The silence of the authorities and repeated targeting of civilians cannot be tolerated any longer,” the statement read, warning of intensified agitation if justice is delayed.
National Highways in Manipur have remained inaccessible to Meitei civilians since May 3, 2023 when violent conflict erupted in border areas between Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts.
Frequent blockades/shutdowns, often imposed by civil society organisations including CoTU in the hill regions, have in the past disrupted normal commute, trade, and normal life. Organisations imposing such blockades in the past have been called out for weaponizing the NH and holding the State at ransom for meeting their demands.
IMPHAL, Apr 9: The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) has yet again weaponized the National Highway-2 with a 24-hour shutdown imposed on the State's lifeline from midnight of April 9 to midnight of April 10.
The 24-hour shutdown of the NH-2 was imposed condemning "an alleged shooting of a man at Shantipur in Kangpokpi."
CoTU, Sadar Hills has alleged that the man was "shot at point-blank range by armed Meitei militants."
The incident allegedly occurred late on Wednesday night at around 10, when one of three Kuki-Zo men was shot at Shantipur between the fringe area of Gamgiphai in Kangpokpi district and Sekmai in Imphal West.
The man, whose identity has not been revealed, sustained bullet injury on his left arm.
The person was rushed to a hospital in Kangpokpi where doctors successfully operated on him and removed the lodged bullet. The person is said to be currently under observation and out of immediate danger.
Reacting to the incident, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) Sadar Hills in a statement announced a 24-hour total shutdown in the entire Kangpokpi district from midnight of April 9 till midnight of April 10.
CoTU, in the same statement, said the shutdown would continue as a mark of protest until the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice.
It said essential services, including medical emergencies, water supply, electricity, funeral processions, and air passengers, would be exempted from the shutdown.
“The silence of the authorities and repeated targeting of civilians cannot be tolerated any longer,” the statement read, warning of intensified agitation if justice is delayed.
National Highways in Manipur have remained inaccessible to Meitei civilians since May 3, 2023 when violent conflict erupted in border areas between Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts.
Frequent blockades/shutdowns, often imposed by civil society organisations including CoTU in the hill regions, have in the past disrupted normal commute, trade, and normal life. Organisations imposing such blockades in the past have been called out for weaponizing the NH and holding the State at ransom for meeting their demands.