UKHRUL: The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has alleged that Kuki villagers and their militants forcefully halted commercial and private vehicles traveling along the Ukhrul-Imphal National Highway 202, with security escorts, at Shangkai Kuki village and Mahadev Hill around 9:15 AM today. They claim this occurred in collusion with the security forces under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) Agreement.
According to the Working Committee of the TNL, more than 40 vehicles were stopped at these two locations by the Kuki group, purportedly to enforce an illegal “Counter Economic Blockade” announced by the self-styled Kuki CSO Working Committee, Ukhrul, effective July 26, 2026, at midnight. The communique also stated that valuable belongings, including documents, cash, clothes, and groceries, were forcibly taken and burned by the Kuki group.
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The Tangkhul civil body expressed deep concern over this provocative act by the Kuki villagers, whom they accuse of igniting the ongoing conflict with the Nagas and now suffering the consequences of economic hardship. The TNL argues that the current plight of the Kukis is self-inflicted and calls it an irrefutable reality that they depend on the goodwill of the Nagas for their survival.
“Had the Kukis approached the Nagas for help to alleviate their hunger, we would have willingly offered assistance on humanitarian grounds as part of our shared Christian community. Instead, the Kuki CSO Working Committee has imposed a ‘counter blockade’ against the Tangkhul Nagas, which challenges our land and rights. Therefore, we insist that this blockade along NH-202 must be lifted immediately,” TNL remarked.
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The TNL Working Committee condemned the Kuki group for engaging in what they describe as highway robbery in broad daylight, undermining basic human decency.
In light of these events, the TNL raised several pressing questions directed at the State Police, Central Security Forces, District Administration, and the State Government:
1. Why were the security forces deployed as an escort and on Reconnaissance and Observation Post (ROP) duty unable to provide effective safety and security for commuters and their belongings?
2. Why did the security forces present fail to intervene while the Kuki group stopped vehicles, pillaged, and burned personal property?
3. What preventive measures has the District Administration implemented following the Kuki’s announcement of the “Counter Economic Blockade” by the Kuki CSO Working Committee Ukhrul?
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4. Why does the State Government refuse to take action against the illegal and self-styled Kuki CSO Working Committee, Ukhrul, after it committed a series of crimes along NH-202?
5. Why does the State Government remain silent on the demand from the public for the abrogation of the SoO Agreement with the Kuki militant group, which is viewed as criminal and terroristic?
