Imagi Meira, others question Govt's declaration on free movement
Not safe: Security force say
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 14 2025: Highlighting the bold declaration of the Kuki Zo Council, KNO and UPF that Meiteis may move on National Highways at their own risk, Imagi Meira, Awang Sekmai Kanba Apunba Nupi Lup and PPAM have questioned the Government's declaration on resumption on free movement on National Highways.

Speaking to media persons on behalf of the three organisations at Manipur Press Club here today, Imagi Meira president Thokchom Sujata pointed out that the SoO agreement was extended for a term of one year despite vehement opposition from different quarters following the assurance of KNO and UPF that all communities will be allowed free movement on National Highways.

Just days after the SoO agreement was extended, KZC, UPF and KNO have been saying that Meiteis may travel on National Highways at their own risks, Sujata said.

Sujata then pointed out that travelling, under the rider that 'they may do so at their own own risk' can never be called free movement.

She also questioned the inaction and silence of the Central Government and the State Government on the threats made by KZC, UPF and KNO to Meiteis.

The Central Government announced that there would be free movement on National Highways from March 8, 2025 .

Despite the Central Government's announcement, Kukis did not give passage on the highways.

Five months later, it was again announced that there would be free movement from September 4, 2025 but several Kuki organisations declared that buffer zones will remain in force for Meiteis.

Taking serious note of the Government's miserable failure to enforce rule of law in Kuki areas and open the National Highways, a large number of womenfolk staged a sit-in-protest day and night from September 5 at Awang Sekmai Bazar, Sujata said.

Awang Sekmai Kanba Apunba Nupi Lup, PPAM and Imagi Meira submitted a memorandum to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and BJP Manipur Pradesh president A Sharda on September 11 on the issue.

However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not mention a single word on how Kuki militants and frontal organisations have been openly defying the Government of India's call for opening National Highways, she decried.

Thinking that there was no objection to free movement on National Highways as announced by the Government of India, a group of womenfolk travelled on NH-2 on September 13, 2025 but they were stopped by State force and CRPF at Kanglatongbi.

The security forces told the womenfolk that they could not proceed beyond Kanglatongbi.

When the womenfolk asked the security forces as to why they could not proceed any further, the security forces maintained they have not received any written permission from the Government.

The security forces further told the womenfolk that it would not be safe for them (womenfolk) to travel beyond Kanglatongbi.

When the womenfolk argued that both the Central Government and the State Government have announced resumption of free movement on National Highways, the security forces said that Kukis may cause trouble to Meiteis travelling on the highway, Sujata narrated.

She then questioned whether the State Government and the Central Government are controlled by Kukis.

She went on to question if the Kukis are above the Constitution of India.

What is the point of having a Government if it cannot implement its announcement and assurance on the ground, she asked.

Even though the Government of India assured repeatedly that the integrity of Manipur will not be compromised, the reality on the ground tells a very different story, she added.

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