SDSA intensifies embargo on Kuki-Zo folks
Source: The Sangai Express

Senapati, July 14 2024: The Senapati District Students Association (SDSA) has intensified the economic embargo on Kuki-Zo people since two days back as they have not received any positive response from the Kuki organisations to ensure the safety of transporters along National Highway 2 (NH-2) .

SDSA had on June 3 asked all concerned to refrain from hampering vehicular movements along National Highway 2 (NH-2) and to maintain the highway stretch as a safe zone.

As their repeated appeals went unanswered, SDSA, the apex student body in Senapati district, stopped supply of essential commodities to Kuki-Zo areas from June 22 .

It is reported that the student body has set up check-points and started checking vehicles to intensify the ban on supplying goods to Kuki-Zo areas.

SDSA intensifies embargo on Kuki-Zo folks

Earlier, the student body had said that the economic embargo was necessitated as their appeal to stop harassing innocent travellers along National Highway 2 met with silence and defiance from the Kuki people.

This correspondent reported that two DI trucks belonging to Liangmai Nagas were hijacked near Damdei College Junction at Motbung and a huge ransom was demanded without giving any valid reason.

The trucks were released after SDSA intervened.

It is also reported LPG trucks carrying stock for Senapati were also stopped by armed Kuki miscreants to extort money on June 12 and 14 and the same led to the shortage of cooking gas in the district (Senapati) .

It was only after the counter-blockade was started by the Senapati District Gas Agency Association (SDGAA) that the Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) met with SDSA and came to an understanding with the gas agency.

But again, a truck was set ablaze by Kuki miscreants just below T Khullen village on the night of June 19 and the arson, whatever the reasons were, it was taken as a direct affront and a significant threat to the safety and well-being of all communities in the region said SDSA.

SDSA said that the Nagas have been maintaining a neutral stance throughout the unrest in Manipur.

The student body also stated they gave Kuki people free access to their market and town.

Saying that they have been accommodative and tolerant as much as possible, SDSA continued that they, having had enough experiences, decided to check all vehicles and intensify their economic embargo.

SDSA said that they intended to let the Kuki brethren know of the grievances in a peaceful way, but their gesture was met with silence and defiance.

SDSA said that they were forced to begin the embargo as a form of non-cooperation and non-compliance in response to the plight and the troubles the Kukis were causing them.