Reeling under acute shortage KIM lifts blockade
Turns to Govt for adequate supplies
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 16 2026: Facing severe scarcity of essential goods, including medicine and fuel, the Kuki Inpi Manipur has lifted the blockade it imposed and asked the Government to provide adequate supplies.

KIM said it is lifting the economic blockade "in good faith", and to prevent a worsening humanitarian crisis, and it expects the Government to ensure uninterrupted supply of foodgrains, fuel, medicines and other essential commodities within the next 48 hours.

Notably, KIM first imposed the blockade in all 'Kuki-Zo' inhabited areas on May 13 effectively shutting all vehicular movements along National Highways and cutting off essential supplies to the whole of Manipur.

The blockade was imposed immediately after the killing of three Church leaders in an ambush on May 13 in Kangpokpi district.

Identifying the three Church leaders as members of the Thadou community, several Thadou bodies had then accused "radical Kukis groups" of persecuting their leaders.

While a Naga person was also killed and two others were injured in another ambush on the same day (May 13) at Joujangtek Kuki village area in Noney district, the earlier ambush created a chain of incidents of hostage taking.

18 Nagas were first detained at the Leilon Vaiphei Kuki village, and in a tit-for-tat action, Naga groups then detained several Kuki individuals.

With KIM then imposing a blockade effectively shutting down all vehicular movements along the highways, the UNC had imposed an "inter-district blockade" in response.

Even though all Kuki hostages were released weeks later, six Naga men who had remained in captivity were recovered dead later on June 10 .

Meanwhile, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) said it is lifting the economic blockade with the hope of pre- venting "a worsening humanitarian situation' The apex Kuki body said it is immediately lifting the economic blockade imposed across 'Kuki-Zo areas', and asserted that the Government must ensure uninterrupted supply of foodgrains, fuel, medicines and other essential commodities within the next 48 hours.

KIM said the decision to lift the blockade was taken "in good faith" following assurances from the Government that adequate foodgrains and essential commodities would be supplied to the affected "Kuki-Zo regions", which have been reeling under acute shortages and prolonged hardship.

The organisation, however, made it clear that the withdrawal should not be interpreted as a retreat from its demands, stressing that "the Government now bears the full responsibility of honouring its commitment without delay" .

Calling attention to what it described as "continued hardship, deprivation and scarcity" faced by Kuki-Zo communities in Kangpokpi and adjoining districts, KIM said the decision was taken with the expectation that authorities would act responsibly and prevent a worsening humanitarian situation.

Failure to deliver the promised supplies within the stipulated time frame would leave the Kuki-Zo people with no option but to take "appropriate and necessary measures" to safeguard their survival, dignity and rights, KIM said.

"Any consequences arising from continued food scarcity, deprivation or disruption of supplies would rest solely with the Government and the authorities concerned," it said.

KIM, which has been imposing blockades after blockades, underscored that "access to food, medicine and essential commodities is a basic human necessity that must never be delayed, obstructed or politicised under any circumstances" .

KIM said its patience may be short-lived if assurances fail to translate into tangible relief on the ground.

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