Calling the restrictions “uncivilized and undemocratic,” WCKCSOs blamed Meitei-led groups and warned the Centre and state government of full responsibility for any fallout.
BY PC Bureau
August 7, 2025: With less than 24 hours remaining before a threatened blockade of National Highway-2 by the Working Committee of Kuki Civil Society Organisations (WCKCSOs), pressure is mounting on Governor Ajay Bhalla and state authorities to act.
The WCKCSOs has warned that if the ‘Foothill Nagas’ are not persuaded to lift restrictions on the movement of Kuki-Zo people between Kangpokpi and Churachandpur by 7:00 AM on August 8, it will impose an indefinite blockade of essential supplies through the Asian Highway/NH-2—the lifeline to Manipur’s capital and valley districts.
The ultimatum follows nearly three weeks of reported restrictions that the WCKCSOs has termed “uncivilized and undemocratic.” In its August 6 communiqué, the group accused Meitei-led organisations—Federation of Haomee and Forum of Civil Society (FOCS)—of orchestrating a campaign of communal disruption, exploiting the “Foothills Naga” as a cover to target Kuki-Zo populations.
Despite the severe restrictions on the movement of their people, not a single Kuki-Zo MLA is reported to have intervened to resolve the standoff. Likewise, the state police and civil administration made no direct effort to restore normalcy. This perceived dereliction of duty by the entire state machinery—including Raj Bhavan, the elected representatives, and influential Kuki-Zo leaders— left the community feeling isolated and vulnerable, reportedly prompting the WCKCSOs to adopt such a drastic stance.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is understood to have been apprised of the worsening situation. Sources say the Centre has asked the state government to act swiftly, but the ‘Foothill Nagas’—allegedly responsible for the blockade—have refused to back down.
The WCKCSOs has termed the blockade a form of economic warfare with grave humanitarian consequences for the Kuki-Zo people. The group argued that the ongoing crisis has moved beyond a mere law-and-order issue, evolving into a question of survival. It has called for urgent intervention by both the Centre and international humanitarian agencies.
*WORKING COMMITTEE KUKI CSOs*
*Address:* Sadar Hills Kanggui (Kangpokpi)
*HQ Office:* Kanggui (Kangpokpi)*PRESS COMMUNIQUE*
*Dated:* 6th August 2025In light of the indefinite restrictions imposed on the movement of the Kuki-Zo between Kanggui Kangpokpi and Songpi… pic.twitter.com/hZtuwhON6T
— Mighty Warrior Kuki (@Kamginthan40473) August 6, 2025
In a press communiqué dated August 6, 2025, the WCKCSOs stated: “Having engaged with all relevant stakeholders and civil society organizations in the region, [WCKCSOs] has ultimately identified the perpetrators behind this uncivilized and undemocratic protest, who are utilizing and coercing the ‘Foothills Naga’ as a mere scapegoat.”
Pointing out that the ongoing blockade has been in place since July 15, 2025, the WCKCSOs said it has caused “unwarranted hardships” to daily commuters. It also accused certain “radicalized Meitei supremacists” of fomenting ethnic hatred between the Kuki-Zo and Naga communities, particularly blaming members of the Federation of Haomee and FOCS (Forum of Civil Society).
“This campaign of hatred being orchestrated by FOCS and the Federation of Haomee against the Kukis has gained considerable traction within the Liangmei community, who reside alongside the Kukis,” the statement claimed.
“Sapamacha Jadumani and Th Manihar… have single-handedly inflamed the sentiments of the unsuspecting Liangmeis in the peripheral areas through which Kuki-Zo commuters traverse,” the statement said.
Citing “nefarious intentions to deprive and disrupt the supply of essential food items,” the WCKCSOs said the central and state authorities have failed to respond adequately to the crisis. In response, it stated: “The Working Committee Kuki CSOs (WCKCSOs) is compelled to issue this 36-hour ultimatum… Should they fail to comply within the stipulated time, a total blockade on the supply of all essential food items through the Asian Highway/National Highway-2 will be instituted from 7:00 AM of August 8, 2025, until the matter is resolved.”
READ: Exclusive: Kuki-Zo, MHA Clear Hurdles, Core Agenda Up Next
The organisation warned that any fallout from such a blockade—including violence or unrest—would be the exclusive responsibility of those orchestrating the current restrictions as well as the concerned authorities.
“Any unfortunate or unwarranted incidents arising from this will be the exclusive responsibility of Mr. Sapamacha Jadumani, the chief architect of the Federation of Haomee, Th Manihar of FOCS, and the concerned authorities of the state/central government,” the communiqué concluded.
A blockade at Kangpokpi, where NH-2 cuts through hill and valley regions, would choke the primary supply route to the Imphal Valley, where over 60% of the state’s population resides. The last time NH-2 was blocked in 2023–24, it led to acute fuel shortages, black marketing, and a spike in the prices of essential commodities. Hospitals had reported running low on oxygen cylinders and life-saving drugs, prompting emergency airlifts by the central government.
As of the filing of this report, there has been no official response from either the Manipur state government or the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to the WCKCSOs’ ultimatum. But sources revealed that authorities were actively engaged with FNCC to end the stand-off.
With the state’s machinery, political leadership, and even community representatives failing to act, the Kuki CSOs were apparently left with no choice but to step in and defend the rights and survival of their people.
