KOHUR accused authorities of passive complicity in the ongoing road blockade, warning that continued inaction may unravel fragile peace in Manipur’s conflict-hit districts.
By PC Bureau
July 20, 2025: The Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) has strongly condemned the ongoing blockade of the Churachandpur-Kangpokpi road, allegedly enforced by the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC), terming it a gross infringement of basic human rights.
In a press release issued on July 20, KOHUR called the obstruction a “flagrant violation of the right to freedom of movement and access to essential services,” and warned that it contravenes both national and international human rights frameworks.
According to the rights group, the blocked corridor had served as a vital humanitarian route for the Kuki-Zo people following their mass displacement from the Imphal Valley in the aftermath of targeted ethnic violence beginning in May 2023. The route became critical for accessing medical services, transporting essential goods, and maintaining inter-district connections amid a prolonged humanitarian crisis.
KOHUR cautioned that any continued obstruction of this essential artery could have “grave socio-political ramifications,” particularly at a time when tensions remain high across ethnic lines in Manipur.
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“The continued blockade risks exacerbating inter-community tensions and could trigger a renewed cycle of violence and unrest,” the statement warned. The group called upon authorities to intervene immediately, emphasizing that failure to act might be interpreted as “passive endorsement” of disruptive activities and further complicate peace-building efforts.
In a direct message to the central and state authorities, KOHUR stated that any silence or inaction on the issue could be construed as indicative of complicity. Drawing parallels to past failures in managing ethnic strife, KOHUR pointed to the dangers of allowing armed or political groups to weaponize civilian infrastructure for political gain.
“If the Government continues to remain silent or fails to resolve the matter promptly, KOHUR may be compelled to construe it as indicative of complicity, or at the very least, passive endorsement of activities that undermine inter-ethnic harmony,” the statement read.
READ: KZC Hits Back: German-Tiger Roads “Humanitarian Lifelines, Not Drug Corridors”
Reaffirming its commitment to democratic values, social justice, and minority protection, KOHUR urged all stakeholders—including government institutions, civil society, and local leaders—to prioritize peaceful coexistence and uphold the principles of dialogue, equity, and inclusivity.
Manipur : The KOHUR unequivocally condemns the FNCC’s blockade of Lamka-Kangpokpi which has resulted in significant disruptions to essential services, exacerbated humanitarian suffering & adversely impacted the lives of innocent civilians & demands its immediate withdrawal.@adgpi pic.twitter.com/UdUBcgfBX4
— Neng Khongsai KUKI (@KhongsaiChanu) July 20, 2025
The organization issued a stern warning against all acts—whether by state or non-state actors—that threaten to destabilize the fragile peace in Manipur.
The road blockade controversy emerges against the backdrop of deepening ethnic fault lines and the growing militarization of infrastructure in the state. The Lamka-Kangpokpi route is one among several humanitarian corridors that have come under pressure in recent months, as communities jostle for control over transit and trade.
KOHUR’s release concludes with a renewed appeal for immediate de-escalation and restoration of essential connectivity, calling the route not just a road—but a lifeline.
Meanwhile, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has hit back at allegations that two other inter-district roads—German-Tiger Road and Singheu Road—are being used as drug corridors. The council called such accusations baseless, malicious, and politically motivated, asserting that the roads were built out of necessity, not criminal enterprise.
“These roads were never commercial. They were born out of a community-led initiative to survive blockades, transport school children and patients, and maintain inter-district connectivity,” said Ginza Vualzong, Secretary of Information & Publicity, KZC.
Following the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023, many Meitei-dominated routes became unsafe or inaccessible to the Kuki-Zo community. In response, local groups revived and upgraded abandoned tracks like German-Tiger and Singheu to keep communities connected. The KZC emphasizes that branding these lifelines as trafficking routes is a deliberate strategy to criminalize and isolate an already displaced population.
The timing of these allegations has also raised concerns. The KZC notes that the drug narrative coincides with renewed attention on the explosive Biren Audio Tape scandal, in which high-level political figures are allegedly implicated in illegal surveillance and collusion with armed groups.
“This may be a broader political effort to shift discourse away from governance failures and instead target grassroots survival efforts,” the council warned.
