In ‘counter blockade’, Kuki women stop trucks carrying essentials on key Manipur highway

In ‘counter blockade’, Kuki women stop trucks carrying essentials on key Manipur highway

New Delhi: Following the outbreak of violence at Jiribam in Manipur on 6 June, the Kuki Women Union of Jiribam and Tamenglong (KWUJT) blocked National Highway-37 Monday morning, in a counter blockade after Meiti outfit Arambai Tenggol and the Meira Paibis restricted movement of essential supplies.

The women obstructed the movement of several goods trucks in Leingangpokpi and Torbung areas on NH-37. These vehicles were carrying essential items from Jiribam to Imphal via the highway, considered one of the ‘lifelines’ of Manipur.

A press release by the Kuki women’s union claimed, “The Meitei community has been continuously causing problems for the Kuki-Zo tribals in Jiribam by burning abandoned Kuki-Zo houses, and preventing Kuki-Zo people from travelling on NH-37.”

The “counter blockade” began with at least 60-70 women, but by the end of the day, around 200 women blocked the highway, Boicy Singson, the president of the union, informed ThePrint over a phone call.

“Since the beginning of the Manipur crisis, we have been restraining ourselves from any violence in the Jiribam district. However, after the killing of a 20-year-old youth from Paitol village, the Meiteis started blaming us,” Singson said.

She added, “The Arambai Tenggol and the Meira Paibis have been blocking the highway, preventing essential supplies needed by the Kuki-Zo tribals. So, how could we allow them to take their goods under such conditions?”

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel guarding the convoy reportedly requested the women blocking the road to allow passage, but their appeals were ignored.

The women’s group has now dispersed, but over 500 goods trucks had to be diverted back to Jiribam, according to Singson, who had been with the women since morning.

ThePrint reached out to the local police for a comment. The response is awaited.

Home Minister chairs meeting on Manipur

On Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah led the Centre’s first high-level meeting on Manipur since the re-election of the Modi government earlier this month.

A statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) mentioned the government’s plans to talk to both communities. “The home minister underscored the importance of a coordinated approach to resolve the ongoing ethnic conflict… He said that the MHA will talk to both groups, Meiteis and Kukis, to bridge the ethnic divide at the earliest,” it read.

Shah also directed the Manipur chief secretary to provide adequate health and education services for displaced individuals, and to focus on their rehabilitation. He emphasised that the central government, led by PM Modi, is dedicated to “ensuring the safety and security of all residents in the northeastern state”.

Additionally, Shah assessed the conditions in relief camps, particularly the supply of food, water, medicines and other essential services.

The meeting was attended by Army chief General Manoj Pande, Army Chief designate Lt. General Upendra Dwivedi, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director Tapan Deka, Security Advisor to the Government of Manipur Kuldiep Singh, Director General of Assam Rifles Lt. Gen. P. C. Nair, Manipur Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi, Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Singh, and senior officers of the Army and state police.

However, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh was absent from the meeting.

(Edited by Mannat Chugh)