Manipur's ethnic unrest triggers highway tensions amidst security measures

In ethnic unrest that hit Manipur, the state government has opened up the highways from the valley region to the hill region deploying additional security forces on the highway, however the Kuki-Zo civil society groups have opposed the move.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), however, has decided to seal the entire Churachandpur district which would block the state government from posting more forces and opening the routes, citing concerns over possible disruption during the Christmas season.

The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) had been imposing economic blockades along the national highway which passes through Kangpokpi on and off.


Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) and the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) jointly announce closure of the road linking Churachandpur and Kanggui from 23rd December to 5th January, 2024 as a security measure.

The bodies stated, “As we have received intelligence input about an imminent threat from the Meitei, the public is advised to avoid traveling on the said road during this period.

The Manipur government has announced that it will resume operations on Imphal- Kangpokpi-Mao (Imphal-Mao highway) and Imphal-Bishnupur-Churachandpur (Tiddim highway) with the deployment of additional security forces from Saturday.

A notice issued by chief secretary, Government of Manipur, Vineet Joshi stated that the move was taken for convenience of the people of the state who are reeling under the prevailing conflict. The same will be effective from Saturday (December 23).

It asserted that additional security forces have been deployed under the operational command of senior officers namely IGP (Zone III), Nishit Kumar Ujjwal for Imphal- Kangpokpi- Mao highway and IGP (Zone II/ Int/ NAB), K Kabib for Imphal- Bishnupur- Churachandpur highway.

There has been a series of blockades since the ethnic strife broke out on May 3. This has impaired the movement of vehicles in Manipur and affected the movement of goods.

Unprecedented ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, following a tribal solidarity rally that turned violent in Churachandpur district, leading to retaliatory violence between Chin-Kuki-Zo and the Meitei communities across the state.