With no response to their ultimatum, the Kuki groups said they can no longer guarantee safety on the highway and held the government responsible for any escalation.
BY PC Bureau
April 12, 2026: Movement along National Highway-202 in Manipur’s Ukhrul district has come under fresh uncertainty after Kuki civil society groups withdrew their assurance of safe passage, citing prolonged hardship and unresolved grievances in the region.
The Kuki CSO Working Committee (WCKCSOs) announced the decision in a statement issued on April 11, pointing to what it described as a sustained restriction on essential supplies at Wunghon under Litan Police Station. The group alleged that food, medicines, and other necessities have been prevented from reaching Kuki-inhabited areas for nearly two months, even as goods meant for Tangkhul areas were allowed through.
Terming the situation a serious humanitarian concern, the committee said it had earlier issued a 72-hour ultimatum on April 7 seeking immediate intervention. With no action taken, the WCKCSOs said it could no longer take responsibility for ensuring safe movement along the highway.
READ: Meiteis Not Allowed to Cross Manipur Buffer Zones: ITLF
READ: Manipur: Drone Flights Banned in Ukhrul Amid Security Concerns
2, the group declared that any untoward incidents along the Litan–Sareikhong to Mongneljang stretch of NH-202 should not be attributed to Kuki civil society organisations or the public. It described the step as “unavoidable” and held the government accountable for any further escalation.
The committee also rejected claims that Kuki groups had imposed a blockade on the highway, calling such allegations misleading and inconsistent with ground realities. It maintained that its position is guided by principles of fairness and humanitarian concern.
Rising Security Concerns
Alongside the highway issue, the WCKCSOs flagged recent security developments in the area. While noting that security forces were eventually deployed following reports of gunfire, it described the response as delayed and expressed concern over the alleged use of “supersonic ammunition” by Tangkhul militants.
According to the group, such ammunition creates confusion by distorting the sound of gunfire, making it difficult to trace its origin and increasing the chances of miscalculation. It called for proper verification before any action is taken in such situations.
The statement also referred to recent incidents of violence, including the killing of two civilians in Thawai Kuki village, injuries to three individuals in Mongkot Chepu, and the death of a BSF constable. It appealed to all sides to act with restraint and avoid further escalation.
“Let reason prevail. Let truth guide action. Let sanity overcome hate and propaganda,” the committee said.
Background
The latest development adds to the ongoing strain between Kuki and Tangkhul Naga communities in Manipur’s hill districts. NH-202, which connects Imphal to Ukhrul, is a critical route for the movement of people and essential goods, making any disruption particularly significant.
The dispute centres on competing narratives, with Kuki groups alleging a targeted restriction on supplies at Wunghon, while Tangkhul/Naga groups have accused Kuki organisations of obstructing movement and engaging in attacks.
These tensions are part of the wider instability in Manipur since the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023, primarily between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. Although the broader conflict dominates the state’s landscape, long-standing frictions between Kuki and Naga groups continue to surface in districts like Ukhrul.
With the withdrawal of safe passage assurances, concerns are growing over potential disruption to supply lines and the risk of further unrest in an already volatile region.
