Imphal: Manipur’s Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) removed the economic boycott in effect since December 31.
When the CoTU said that the whole shutdown in the Kangpokpi area will cease at 2 a.m. on Sunday, the barrier that had stopped trucks hauling needs on Manipur’s NH-2 from moving cleared.
NH-2 via Nagaland is seen as the lifeblood for Manipur since it connects the state to the rest of the country. Apart from removing the blockage, CoTU sent the state administration a 48-hour ultimatum asking that the CAPF troops stationed at Saibol be “controlled from the valley.”
About forty Kuki women in Saibol, Kangpokpi district, were seriously injured in a violent confrontation between central security forces and Kuki women early on December 31. While local groups claimed the women battled the security personnel to defend their “community bunkers,” the security forces said they had destroyed “illegal bunkers.”
CoTU told the public in a statement on Saturday that starting at 2 am on Sunday the continuous 24-hour complete shutdown in Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi, and the enforced extended economic blockade along NH-2 would be lifted.
They said that the agreement reached with the pertinent authorities guided the decision to send the 112 CRPF Battalion—more especially, Saibol—under the Lhungtin subdivision.
CoTU underlined that it will be compelled to employ more aggressive means of agitation until the remaining CAPF personnel from the valley are pulled from Saibol within 48 hours of the blockade being lifted.
During an attack on the Kangpokpi district SP office on Friday, a mob ran toward police, injuring the SP as well as several police personnel and citizens.
