All businesses, markets, and schools along NH-2 will close Oct 3, with exceptions for medical emergencies and funeral processions.
BY PC Bureau
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) has announced a 12-hour total shutdown along National Highway-2 on October 3, 2025, to mark its monthly observance of “Separation Day.” Scheduled from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, the bandh highlights the Kuki-Zo community’s ongoing demand for a separate Union Territory and draws attention to the region’s deepening ethnic divide.
The public notice, released earlier today, criticized the former BJP-led state government: “The nation has witnessed one of the worst civil conflicts among its own citizens, yet almost three years later, there has been no resolution or accountability from the previous leadership.”
READ: Wangchuk’s Wife Urges President, PM for His Urgent Release
CoTU observes the 3rd of every month to honor “the brave and beloved brethren and fallen heroes” who defended the community’s land. The upcoming bandh is intended as a symbolic assertion of the Kuki-Zo community’s permanent separation from the Meitei majority, underscoring both physical and demographic distinctions.
The day commemorates the outbreak of ethnic clashes on May 3, 2023, when violence in Manipur escalated into arson, mayhem, sexual assaults, and killings, with the tribal population bearing the brunt of the brutality.
During the bandh, all businesses, markets, and educational institutions along the highway are expected to close, with exceptions only for medical emergencies and funeral processions. CoTU called on the public to cooperate, stating: “We appreciate the support extended through these tumultuous years and hope it continues.”
READ: Moreh Hill Council Backs SIR, Disarms Illegal Influx Lobby in Manipur
Long-standing disputes over land, resources, and political representation continue to fuel tensions in Manipur. The planned highway shutdown represents a high-visibility appeal to the central government to address the Kuki-Zo community’s demands. Authorities are expected to respond in the coming days, though no official statement has been issued so far.
As October 3 approaches, the spotlight falls on Sadar Hills and National Highway-2, with citizens and travelers urged to plan accordingly. CoTU’s move underscores the fragile peace in Manipur and the growing urgency of resolving the state’s ethnic and political conflicts.
