Retaliation to total shutdown continues to haunt : Inter-dist blockade affects Kpi CoTU's bid to march up to Kanglatongbi foiled

OSR/Correspondent
IMP/KPI, Jun 30: A large number of people who took out a protest march toward Kanglatongbi against blocking transportation of commodities on NH-2 toward Kangpokpi were driven back by security forces from Gamgiphai.
Under the aegis of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), a large number of people gathered near Taloulong village, Kangpokpi district along NH-2 today.
The crowd then marched toward Kanglatongbi demanding free movement of goods on NH-2 but they were blocked by a strong combined team of Manipur Police, CRPF and RAF at Gamgiphai.
Undeterred by the security blockade, the protesters sat down in the middle of the road.
Soon after, a tense confrontation broke out between the protesters and the security forces.
As the marchers tried to breach the security blockade and proceed toward Kanglatongbi, the security forces fired several rounds of tear gas shells and drove back the marchers.
During the confrontation, several protesters sustained injuries and were evacuated to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Traffic movement along the highway was disrupted on account of the confrontation.
The protesters were demanding unobstructed flow of essential commodities including medicines bound for Kangpokpi.
Scenes of marchers targeting security forces with slingshots could be seen in video clips circulated on social media. Tear gas shells releasing thick clouds of smoke on the highway could also be seen.
The situation was later brought under control following the intervention of district administration officials and personnel of the CRPF, who held discussions with community leaders and protesters, leading to a temporary de-escalation of tensions.
Although tensions have been temporarily de-escalated, the Kuki-Zo community decided that it would continue its agitation along NH-2 at Gamgiphai.
They also resolved to halt all vehicular movement, including vehicles carrying essential commodities, passenger services, and others, while allowing only verified medical emergency services, ambulances, and security force convoys.
"Since the State remained deaf to our repeated appeals, we were compelled to come out and reopen the supply chain of essential commodities along NH-2 ourselves," COTU spokesman Ng Lun Kipgen said.
Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills president Thangminlen Kipgen said that they have resolved to continue their protest until the Government ensures the reopening of the highway blockade at Namdilong-Kanglatongbi and other affected locations.
Notably, 18 Liangmai Naga civilians were abducted from Leilon Vaiphei  Kuki village on May 13, 2026.
Out of them, 11 women and a child were released on the following days but six male captives were murdered in the most barbaric manner and their severed and mutilated bodies were recovered from Kharam Vaiphei village on June 10, 2026.
Protesting the barbaric murder and demanding justice for the same, the Koubru Range Liangmai Women’s Union have been blocking transportation of goods toward Kangpokpi at Namdilong village, Imphal West district.
Prior to this the Kuki Inpi, Manipur had imposed a total shutdown in all Kuki dominated areas in protesting against the assassination of three Thadou Church leaders while on their way back to Kangpokpi from Churachandpur on May 13.
Reacting strongly to the shutdown, the United Naga Council had gone ahead and imposed an inter-district blockade, a few days later.