UKHRUL: Community on Tribal Unity (CoTU) representing the Kuki-Zo community in the Twilang and IT Road belt of Kangpokpi district organised a protest rally from Nute Kailhang to ADC Office on Monday. It also submitted a memorandum to Manipur deputy chief minister Nemcha Kipgen, raising concerns over security threats and shortages of essential goods in villages including Taphou Kuki and surrounding areas.
The memorandum alleges that armed groups linked to the NSCN-IM and ZUF-K, acting through Naga communities at Chawangkaning, Thonglang and Maki along the IT Road, and at Taphou Naga along National Highway-2, have restricted movement of food, medicine and other essential supplies to Kuki-Zo habitations since mid-May 2026. The signatories say earlier appeals to authorities on the matter went unanswered.
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Among the demands listed in the memorandum are the removal of checkpoints at Thonglang, Chawangkaning and Taphou Naga; guaranteed safe passage for ambulances and medical personnel to the Tujang Vaichong Primary Health Centre; deployment of central security forces in fringe areas including Chalwa, S. Songpibung and Thenjang; upgrading of Chalwa, Leimakhong and Kangchup police stations to full operational status; and resolution of a jurisdictional dispute in which Senapati district police allegedly exercise authority over parts of Kangpokpi revenue territory, including Taphou Kuki and Hengbung villages.
The agitation follows a series of highway blockades and counter-blockades enforced amid the deaths of multiple individuals from both the Naga and Kuki communities since the conflict between them erupted.
