IMPHAL: The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills, has declared a 12-hour total shutdown in protest of the Government’s purported inaction regarding their demand for the disengagement of central forces from Saibol in Manipur. The closure will commence at 2:00 PM on January 2, 2025, and will expire at 2:00 AM on January 3, 2025.
It represents a significant escalation in the conflict and exacerbates the ongoing economic blockade along National Highway 2. The presence of central forces in Saibol has been fiercely opposed by CoTU officials, who have characterized it as disruptive and a source of distrust and anxiety among tribal groups.
“We have been compelled to intensify our protest as a result of the Government’s silence regarding our peaceful requests for dialogue,” CoTU declared. The stoppage will result in the cessation of vehicular traffic, the closure of businesses, the suspension of educational institutions, and the closure of government offices throughout the region. Essential services, such as healthcare and emergency services, will not be affected.
The CoTU demanded the immediate withdrawal of the central forces, which they considered to be flagrant violations of tribal rights and dignity. In addition, they urged the Kuki-Zo community to adopt a unified stance against this movement, as this protest symbolizes a broader struggle for peace and justice.
The ongoing blockade and the forthcoming shutdown are indicative of the increasing frustration of tribal communities, which have been vocal in their allegation that the government is not addressing their concerns.
