COTU blocks NH-2 after Khoken violence
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangokpi, June 10 2023: The Committee on Tri - bals Unity (COTU), Sadar Hills re-imposed blockade of the National Highway -2 in Kangokpi district sector in the aftermath of the firing incident on Friday at Kho-ken village during which three persons including an elderly woman were killed and left two others injured.

The NH-2 road was closed without any declaration of a bandh /blockade by any organisation ever since the violence erupted on May 3 .

However, after a month-long closure, the Committee took the initiative and de-cided to reopen the highway in response to the appeal by Union home minister Amit Shah during his visit to Kangpokpi district on May 31 .

COTU blocks NH-2 after Khoken violence

Consequently, the highway was opened for seven days between 10 am till 2 pm every day with the condition that if any vio-lence happens during the suspension period, the com-mittee will be compelled to relook its decision.

The violence at Khoken village in New Keithelmanbi area under Kangchup Gel-jang sub-division in Kang-pokpi at about 3.30 am left three villagers dead and two others injured.

Vehemently condemning the attack and terming it an 'extremely tragic' incident, COTU spokesperson Rev K Sitlhou said that despite the effort on the part of the Government of India to cease violence in the state, Manipur is still witnessing escalation of violence as suspected armed Meitei people continue to in-dulge in killing, arson and various other violence.

He pointed out that among the three killed at Khoken, the elderly woman was praying inside the Church for peace and harmony in the state and also for the safety of the vil-lagers and village.

While drawing a suspicious line over the combing operations, Sitlhou said that when the village volunteers retreated from guarding the village owing to combing operation, tragic incident occurred and precious lives were lost.

He then drew immediate attention of the Centre for urgent action towards upbringing of non-violence, ceasing of firing and torching of villages.

Considering the alleged "extremely trag-ic" violent incident, the COTU relooked its decision of suspending highway closure in its emergency meeting and decided to close back the highway completely.

The COTU also drew immediate attention of Union home minister through a representation submitted to DC Kangpokpi over the violent incident at Khoken village.