SC seeks comprehensive proposals to restore NH-2 and other blocked highways in Manipur amid concerns over shortages of food, fuel and medicines.
by PC Bureau
August 14, 2026: The Supreme Court has asked rival groups in violence-hit Manipur to come up with a joint, detailed plan for reopening national highways blocked amid the ongoing Naga-Kuki tensions, stressing that prolonged disruptions are hurting ordinary people and choking the supply of essential commodities.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana, questioned the rationale behind continuing the blockades and emphasised that highways are critical to the daily lives of residents.
“Why don’t both groups realise that blockade of highway does not serve either group… You give us a proposal how highways can be. We will implead NHAI also… highways are lifeline of common person,” the CJI observed.
The Bench also cautioned against measures that could trigger fresh violence. While acknowledging the petitioner’s concerns, CJI Kant indicated that a sweeping judicial direction or abrupt administrative action could potentially put innocent people at risk.
In its order, the Bench noted that the petition raised an issue of “larger public interest” concerning the removal of the blockade on NH-2 and restoration of essential services and supplies.
The court was informed that several other highways in Manipur had also been blocked. It directed the newly added respondent to provide details of all national highways and other major roads currently under blockade and submit a proposal for restoring their functioning.
The petitioner was also asked to prepare a comprehensive proposal. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is to be impleaded in the proceedings.
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KUKI GROUP SEEKS RESTORATION OF SUPPLIES
The petition was filed by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR), affiliated with the Kuki Organization of Human Rights Trust (KOHUR).
Invoking Article 32 of the Constitution, the organisation sought immediate restoration of the movement of essential commodities into Kuki-Zo areas of Kangpokpi district.
The petition alleged that blockades imposed by Naga civil society organisations since around May 17 had effectively cut off supplies and amounted to collective punishment. It claimed that prolonged disruption had created a humanitarian crisis by restricting access to food, fuel and medicines.
National Highway-2, a key route linking Imphal with Dimapur, has been among the major affected corridors. Kuki groups subsequently imposed counter-blockades on NH-202, further complicating movement across the state.
BLOCKADES FOLLOW MAY VIOLENCE
The restrictions followed a series of violent incidents in Manipur in May 2026.
On May 13, suspected armed attackers allegedly ambushed a group of Kuki-Zo church leaders in Kangpokpi district as they were returning from a peace programme. The group included Thadou Baptist pastors. Three people were killed and several others injured in the attack.
Against this backdrop, the Supreme Court’s latest intervention seeks to shift the focus from competing claims by the rival communities to a practical mechanism for restoring movement on the state’s blocked highways.
By asking the parties to submit concrete proposals and bringing NHAI into the proceedings, the court has indicated that restoring road connectivity and the flow of essential supplies is an urgent public-interest concern, while also warning that any reopening strategy must avoid triggering further violence.
