After 54 days, the economic blockade imposed along the National Highway-2 in the wake of the communal clash in Manipur was lifted on Sunday.
The United People's Front (UPF) and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) said they decided to lift the blockade of the national highway passing through Kangpokpi district to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities in Manipur.
The development comes, notwithstanding the anger and anguish of the Kuki-Zo people, keeping in view Union Home Minister Amit Shah's concern to restore peace and harmony in the state and alleviate the plight of people in general, stated a joint release issued by UPF spokesperson Aaron Kipgen and KNO spokesperson Seilen Haokip.
It stated that the decision to lift the blockade was taken after wide ranging consultations with various civil society organisations, village chiefs, youth and women leaders on several occasions.
It highlighted that Manipur has been witnessing ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki Zo communities since May 3 and recurring violence has led to loss of precious lives and destruction of property besides hundreds being injured and thousands being displaced.
The ongoing conflict has disturbed the traditional communal harmony in the state, it said, adding the Kuki Zo people have suffered immensely in continued offensives by miscreants and have urged the authorities to protect their lives and properties.
The release mentioned that the Kuki Zo organisations had earlier met the Union home minister and appealed him to provide security in the vulnerable villages in the bordering and foot hill areas.
Appreciating that central forces have been deployed in most of these areas as assured and the process is in progress, it said, "Once the deployment of central forces is completed in all vulnerable areas, we will ensure that our volunteers are withdrawn from these areas to help restore peace and tranquillity".
It is expected that the concerned authorities will take every measure to maintain peace and ensure supply of essential commodities to the needy, particularly in the hill districts, it added.
The release also appealed to all peace-loving organisations and citizens of Manipur to reciprocate their gesture and take steps towards peace and communal harmony in the state.
However, the Information & Publicity Wings of the UPF clarified later in the evening that all UPF under the umbrella of Zomis i.e., ZRO/ZRA, HPC(D), ZRF and ZVD are not aware of the lifting of blockade in NH -2 as they were not consulted nor involved in the imposition and are thus not aware of lifting of the blockade either.
