Manipur Government’s Attempt to Resume Public Transport Thwarted by Kuki Roadblock

KANGPOKPI: Civil society groups of Manipur's Kuki tribes in Kangpokpi called a shutdown of the district after the Manipur government announced public buses would resume from the state capital Imphal to this district and towards Bishnupur and Churachandpur.

Members of the Kuki tribes gathered at Gamgiphai, the primary route between Kangpokpi and Imphal West district, to block the government's attempt to restart public transport.

Ng Lun Kipgen, spokesperson of the Kangpokpi-based Kuki civil group Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), said the rising tension in Manipur has prompted the Kuki tribes to strengthen their unwavering opposition to what they termed as a "partisan and baseless" government directive.
Mr. Kipgen asserted that Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has persistently attempted to undermine their "movement."

The Kuki Inpi also criticized the government's decision to let public transport resume between hill and valley areas, calling it a reckless and insensitive attempt to restore public services without addressing the underlying political tensions.

The internally displaced people from both communities in Manipur are yet to return home. The 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs in Manipur who have been spearheading the call for a separate land carved out of the state bordering Myanmar, and Kuki groups such as CoTU, have said talks are not possible unless the chief minister quits.

ALSO READ: Manipur To Check Kuki Refugees From Assam As Part Of Repatriation Plans

ALSO WATCH: