The Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA) in Manipur has imposed a ban on all economic interactions and transactions with the Kuki-Zo community and urged the Kuki to refrain from obstructing vehicular movements along National Highway (NH)-2.

In a statement issued on Friday, the SDSA said, “Following the press statement on June 3, we urgently appeal for all concerned parties to refrain from unnecessarily hampering vehicular movements along National Highway 2 (NH-2) and to maintain the highway as a safe zone, free from any form of harassment.” The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), however, has completely ignored their statement and plea.

“Despite our hospitality, patience, understanding, and neutrality in this ongoing conflict, the Kuki miscreants have had the audacity to set a truck on fire within our land and jurisdiction on the night of June 19, 2024, just below Tumuyon Khullen. We strongly condemn this act of arson, which is a direct challenge to our authority and also a grave threat to the safety and well-being of all communities. We demand that the culprits be booked and given befitting punishments as per the law, at the earliest,” it added.

“It is imperative to take immediate and stringent actions to prevent any further escalations and to safeguard the interests of all communities, as per the resolution adopted at the 2nd Federal Assembly, held at Nteiramphung (Tumnoupokpi) on June 1,” the statement continued. “Individuals, businesses, or firms within Senapati are hereby strictly prohibited from engaging in any commercial transactions, business dealings, or trade with the Kuki-Zo community. This prohibition extends to all forms of economic interactions and transactions.”

“Any person or entity found violating this order shall bear the full consequences of their actions. We will not be held responsible for any harm, loss, or misfortune that befalls those who disregard this directive. The responsibility for their safety and the repercussions of their actions will rest entirely on them,” the statement added.

The SDSA said the order was issued in the interest of maintaining peace, order, and the safety of all communities. “We urge all parties to comply strictly with this directive and to act responsibly and considerately to avoid further conflict,” it stated.

Meanwhile, the indefinite economic blockade imposed by Kuki civil society organizations (CSOs) along NH-37 (Imphal-Silchar via Jiribam) has been lifted after a memorandum of understanding was signed between Kuki CSOs and the Tamenglong superintendent of police, Assam Rifles, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

The Rongmei Naga Council Manipur (RNCM) also met CSOs of Kuki and Meitei at Tamenglong and Jiribam on Friday. The Naga body cautioned that no group should impose any form of bandh, blockade, or other disruptions along NH-37. RNCM emphasized that NH-37 is for all communities and no commuter should be disturbed along the highway. It also warned that if any commuters are harassed, those involved should take responsibility.

Over 100 bullet gas tankers and petroleum tankers that had been stranded at Jiribam started leaving for Imphal on Friday evening. Meanwhile, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) condemned the torching of Bharat Infra Project Limited (BIPL) trucks carrying bridge construction material at Tronglaobi village, Bishnupur district, Manipur, by an irate mob on June 15.

ITLF stated, “Since July 2023, the Kuki-Zo people have refrained from any form of blockade on national highways as appealed and assured by the Ministry of Home Affairs for a peaceful settlement to the political demand of the Kuki-Zo. Though the Kuki-Zo people in the northern and western parts of the state allow free passage, Meitei groups from the valley districts continue to impede the movement of necessary goods intended for hill districts like Churachandpur, Pherzawl, Tengnoupal, Chandel, etc.”

“The government of India must intervene promptly to ensure the uninterrupted flow of essential commodities to the hill districts before the situation deteriorates further,” the statement warned. It also cautioned that if Meitei groups and the chief minister N Biren Singh-led government persist in their unfair treatment of the Kuki-Zo people by withholding basic necessities, the Kuki-Zo people might reconsider their stance on the economic blockade.