Manipur’s women’s group miffed at highway restriction

Imphal, Sept 15 (NNN): Women-based group Imagi Meira has given a 10-day deadline to the Governor of Manipur to ensure free movement along National Highway-2 (Imphal–Dimapur), warning of intensified agitation if the demand is not fulfilled.

The ultimatum was issued after the women’s group was blocked by security forces at the Kanglatongbi check post while attempting to cross into Kangpokpi district on Saturday. Convenor Th. Sujata said despite assurances from the Centre and Kuki bodies in a tripartite meeting on September 4, commuters, particularly Meiteis, are still denied safe passage along the highway.

“The highway is our lifeline. Yet even after the extension of Suspension of Operation (SoO) with Kuki militants and agreement on free movement, we were stopped by security forces who said they had no written orders to allow us through,” Sujata said.

She criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Manipur visit, saying he should have prioritised restoring highway access over inaugurating projects. “By choosing to visit a district after landing in Imphal, he indirectly endorsed the ‘separate administration’ demand of Kuki-Zo,” she alleged.

Imagi Meira cautioned that failure to act within the deadline would compel the group to launch stronger forms of agitation.

Manipur has been in turmoil since ethnic clashes erupted on May 3, 2023, leaving over 260 dead and displacing more than 60,000 people.