Economic blockade, yet again
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: January 03, 2025 -

THE indefinite economic blockade declared on Tuesday by the Kangpokpi-based Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) along the National Highway-2 (NH-2) is certain to trigger price rise of various commodities in the state, and escalate tension among the communities as possibility of the valley-based organisations resorting to counter-blockade cannot be ruled out.

Though the government has been making security arrangement to bring in essential goods through the Imphal-Jiribam section of NH-37, bulk transportation of goods is more convenient along the NH-2 as condition of the former route, with exception of the few winter months, is far from being satisfactory due to land/rock slides or repair works.

It is not for the first time that disruption is caused to vehicular traffic on the two national highways that connect the state with other parts of the country and wouldn't be the last for civil societies view the state's lifelines as the best option to exert pressure on the government.

However, CoTU's assertion that the blockade will remain in force till central forces are not pulled out from Saibol area in Kangpokpi district seems infeasible as well as quixotic considering that Kuki civil bodies had been pleading for deployment of central forces to safeguard the Kuki-Zo community while contending that the state's forces could not be trusted.

Moreover, rather than introspecting genesis of the clash at the Uyokching (hillock) between the central forces and Kuki women, CoTU's decision to enforce the economic blockade effective from 4 pm Tuesday till Complete withdrawal of the security forces is primarily aimed at cutting off the supply lines to the state's capital, unmindful of the fact that Imphal has substantial mixed populations.

By declaring imposition of the economic blockade and halting all commercial traffic along the NH-2 stretch, a key route for transporting goods, medical supplies and essentials and subsequent dispersal of varied commodities throughout the state, CoTU is undermining efforts of both the central and state governments to contain the violence through deployment of central forces in areas vulnerable to violent incidents.

Moreover, GoTU cannot ignore the fact that the areas where the central forces are planned for deployment are the same locations from where suspected Kuki militants had been launching attacks on Meetei villages in the foothills for days since December 24.

As such, there seems to be more than meets the eye for CoTU demanding withdrawal of the central forces.

Considering the fact that Kuki-Zo women were not only from Saibol village but brought from different parts of Kangpokpi district to join the protest in pursuit of the demand for removal the central forces from Saibol village, CoTU also appears to be uninterested in restoring peace but to create upheaval using women folk as the human shield.

Regardless of such deceptive tactics by CoTU or any other organisations, the government of Manipur should not relent from doing the needful to protect life and properties of villagers in the fringe areas.

As preventing recurrence of violence is imperative for creating a conducive environment to bring the warring communities to the negotiating table, the state government should utilise all resources available at its disposal to tackle disruptive elements at any cost and ring out the message that it wouldn't succumb to pressure tactics.