GUWAHATI: The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) on Saturday night lifted the economic blockade that had been enforced since Dec 31. The blockade, which had halted vehicular movement, including that of trucks carrying essential commodities on NH-2 in Manipur, was withdrawn after CoTU announced that the total shutdown in Kangpokpi district will be lifted from 2 am on Sunday.
NH-2, via Nagaland, is deemed as Manipur’s lifeline as it connects the state to the rest of the country. Besides lifting the blockade, CoTU also issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the state govt to withdraw CAPF personnel stationed at Saibol, asserting that they were being “controlled from the valley.”
Saibol in Kangpokpi district witnessed a violent confrontation between the central security forces and Kuki women on the morning of Dec 31, resulting in more than 40 Kuki women being grievously injured. Local organisations said the women confronted the security personnel to safeguard their “community bunkers,” while the security forces claimed that they had dismantled “illegal bunkers”.
Issuing a statement on Saturday, CoTU informed the general public that the imposition of an indefinite economic blockade, enforced along NH-2, and the recurrent extension of a 24-hour total shutdown within Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi, will be withdrawn with from 2 am on Sunday. They said that the decision was taken as per the understanding with the concerned authorities for deployment of the 112 CRPF Battalion, particularly at Saibol, under the Lhungtin sub-division.
CoTU emphasised that it will be compelled to resort to a more stringent mode of agitation, unless the remaining CAPF deployed from the valley is withdrawn from Saibol within 48 hours from the time of withdrawal of the blockade.
On Friday, Kangpokpi district SP and several policemen and civilians were injured, when a mob clashed with police during an attack at the SP office.
