Ukhrul, September 21: The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) has announced a three-day economic blockade, beginning midnight of September 22 until September 25, to protest what it described as the government’s inaction over the killing of two Assam Rifles personnel at Nambol on September 19.
In a press conference, CoTU said the failure of both the state and central authorities to apprehend the perpetrators of the attack, even after two days, posed a “matter of national security concern” and undermined constitutional governance, particularly when the state has been under President’s Rule since early 2025.
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The ambush, carried out by suspected Valley-Based Insurgent Groups (VBIGs) at around 5 PM in Nambol, left two soldiers of the 33 Assam Rifles dead and five others critically injured.
CoTU questioned how peace initiatives, such as the Free Movement Regime (FMR), could be acceptable when even central security forces were not spared by insurgents. “When even the centre security forces are not spared by the secessionist VBIGs, what guarantee is there for the Kuki-Zo,” the statement read.
CoTU stressed that the Kuki-Zo community remained committed to peace, pointing to the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreements with underground groups as evidence of their restraint. It also noted that despite what it termed as a “delayed visit” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Kuki-Zo were the first to welcome him.
It further urged the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to expedite a “long-pending demand” for Separate Administration under Article 239A of the Constitution, calling it the only path toward lasting peace and stability in the Northeast.
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The statement concluded by condemning what it described as the Governor’s “inability to discharge his constitutional powers” during President’s Rule and reaffirmed that the economic blockade would remain in force until September 25 midnight as a mark of protest.