Kuki group ends counter-inter-district economic blockade, highway shutdown

The Kuki Civil Society Organisation has lifted an indefinite counter-inter-district economic blockade and shutdown of National Highway (NH) 202 linking Manipur with Nagaland, following a meeting with state government representatives on Tuesday. The decision came after the Working Committee of the Kuki organisation signed a handwritten agreement with the delegation, promising to ensure the safety and security of NH-202 and prevent any group from disrupting traffic along the crucial highway.

The move comes after the Kuki body initiated the counter-blockade on July 27 in response to a Naga group's economic blockade on all national highways in Manipur, which began on July 27 and intensified on August 5. The Naga group's blockade was prompted by concerns over the safety of six Nagas whose mutilated bodies were found on June 10 following alleged abductions by Kuki groups on May 13.

Relations between Naga and Kuki-Zo communities escalated after twin ambushes on May 13 left four people dead, including three church leaders, and resulted in the capture and release of 48 captives from both sides. The ethnic violence in Manipur, which first began in 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki communities, has now involved almost every community.