The government’s failure to address security gaps in buffer zones has prompted CoTU to demand safer routes for commuters between Kangpokpi and Churachandpur.
BY PC Bureau
October 7, 2025 — The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) has announced a 48-hour economic blockade starting midnight of October 7, following the failure of authorities to respond to demands after the abduction and overnight torture of a Kuki-zo tribal man, Kamginlen Chongloi, in Makhan Village on October 2
On the evening of October 2, Chongloi, a resident of Phaikot village, was allegedly seized by unidentified armed individuals in the stretch between Makhan and Khenjang areas, close to the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University.
Local leaders claim that after his abduction, Chongloi was subjected to torture before being rescued by security forces and admitted to hospital for treatment.
The Makhan Wanjeng Chief / Chairman Phom Association publicly condemned the act, calling it “very unfortunate,” and demanded authorities act swiftly to bring perpetrators to justice. The Association also cautioned against attempts to blame their community, stressing that the Makhan area has maintained neutrality during conflicts.
Ultimatum, Inaction, and Blockade
On October 4, CoTU had served a 48-hour ultimatum to government and security agencies to respond with concrete measures to strengthen security in buffer zones connecting Kangpokpi and Churachandpur, especially through Makhan and Leikhanpokpi villages.
However, no visible action or response was forthcoming. The CoTU statement accused the Ministry of Home Affairs of displaying “blatant reluctance” to address security shortfalls in these volatile buffer zones—failure which they say exacerbates fear and insecurity among the Kuki-Zo communities.
Citing this inaction, the blockade is being enforced as a coercive step to compel authorities to (a) strengthen security in those buffer zones and (b) ensure safe passage for all commuters traversing the disputed or sensitive stretches.
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The abduction and blockade unfold against a backdrop of entrenched suspicion and violence in Manipur, following the ethnic conflict that erupted in May 2023 between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. In response to communal violence, buffer zones along critical routes and between population blocs were established to regulate movement and prevent clashes.
However, these buffer zones have themselves become contested spaces. On the one hand, they serve as security checkpoints; on the other, communities and civil bodies argue they institutionalize segregation and constrain freedom of movement.
For the Kuki-Zo population, these zones are especially sensitive: they feel marginalized and targeted, with limited trust in state protection. The failure to act quickly in this latest incident may deepen that mistrust.
The blockade is expected to disrupt trade, transport, and daily movement along the National Highway-02 connecting Imphal to Dimapur, causing hardship for local businesses and civilians. It also places political pressure on authorities, forcing the government to either act decisively or risk losing further credibility among tribal communities.
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If the response from authorities is seen as inadequate, the situation could escalate into wider protests, shutdowns, or intensified agitation across the region. At its core, the abduction of . Chongloi and the subsequent blockade test the state’s ability to protect vulnerable communities, maintain impartial security, and respond to grievances before they spiral into conflict.
In the coming hours, all eyes will be on the Home Ministry, Manipur Police, and security agencies: will they rise to the challenge—and do enough to restore confidence and safeguard lives—or will this blockade mark yet another fracture in a fragile peace?
