FNCC calls oft stir, Kuki CSOs blockade NH-2
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 08 2025: A day after expressing firm stand on continuing the blockade in Naga inhabited areas and daring Kuki CSOs to enforce blockade along the highway, the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC) has called off its indefinite blockade in the foothill areas after reaching an agreement with the government on Friday even as Kuki civil society organisations enforced economic blockade in Kangpokpi district sector of the National Highway-2 .

The FNCC-government agreement was reached following discussions on road construction, the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement, and illegal poppy cultivation.

According to the record note of the meeting held in Imphal on Friday, the state government clarified that it had not approved or sanctioned any unauthorised roads in the areas identified by FNCC.

FNCC calls oft stir, Kuki CSOs blockade NH-2

It assured that legal action would be taken after verification and that no illegal construction or naming of roads would be permitted.

On FNCC's concerns about the SoO agreement and designated camps, the government said that the interests and apprehensions of Nagas in the foothill areas would be seriously considered in consultation with the Centre.

Both sides also acknowledged the issue of illegal poppy cultivation, with the government reiterating its "zero tolerance" policy under its War on Drugs 1.0 and 2.0 initiatives and pledged to conduct surveys and destroy illegal poppy and cannabis plantations with the help of state police and central agencies.

The agreement came amid escalation of tension as an internal police message, issued a day earlier, revealed security agencies were on high alert over possible escalation.

The confidential note from the ADGP (LO) warned of potential counter-blockades by Nagas after Kukis imposed an economic blockade on National Highway-2 from 8 am Friday in response to the FNCC bandh.

The ADGP ordered area domination, round-the-clock security, and vigilance at potential flashpoints including Konsakhul, Leilon Vaiphei, Ireng Naga, Kharam Vaiphei, Makhan, Leimatak and Joujangtek.

Senior officers were instructed to increase visits, step up patrols, and respond promptly to any incident to prevent further escalation.

On Thursday, the Foothills Naga Co-ordination Committee had stated that its bandh in Naga inhabited foothill areas was not aimed at the Zomi or Hmar-Lushai (Mizo) communities, with whom Na-gas have traditionally maintained peaceful coexistence, but was a protest against calculated provocations by Kuki expansionist forces.

It also accused the Working Committee of Kuki CSOs and the World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council of pursuing territorial encroachment and political manipulation, while warning that such moves threatened the region's fragile peace.

FNCC condemned what it called "economic terrorism" by Kuki groups through prolonged highway blockades.

FNCC also warned that if the Working Committee of Kuki CSOs attempts to block NH-2 or disrupt the movement of goods and people, "every avenue of Naga-inhabited areas will be sealed off to Kuki movement without exception" including NH-2, NH-37, Peren district in Nagaland and NC Hills in Assam.

Meanwhile, Kuki civil society organisations (CSO) on Friday launched an economic blockade on the supply of all essential items along National Highway 2 in Kangpokpi district.

Several trucks carrying essential items to Kangpokpi and Senapati districts were stranded, according to officials.

The blockade was observed to protest the ongoing indefinite bandh by Foothills Naga Coordinating Committee (FNCC) against the movement of Kuki people between Churachandpur and Kangpokpi.

The Kangpokpi district-based Working Committee Kuki CSO called the blockade along NH-2 (from Imphal to Dimapur in Nagaland), which serves as a vital supply route for essential items to the state.

The Kuki civil society groups had alleged that the authorities as well as the Centre have been reluctant to address the issue and has "compelled them to take up the decision to impose total blockade on the supply of all essential food items through the National Highway 2 (Imphal to Dimapur) from August 8 until the matter is resolved.

Security forces deployed in the area have been briefed and asked to remain alert and vigilant, officials said.

Precautionary measures including area domination, patrolling and checks for carrying illegal arms have been taken up as well.

The Foothills Naga Coordination Committee had imposed a ban on movement on Kukis between Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts to protest the "unauthorised construction" of a road connecting the two districts by Kuki organisations.

The Committee also demanded that all Kuki SoO camps be shifted from Naga majority areas and poppy cultivation be stopped.

The SoO camp is a place where cadres of militant outfits with which the government has) signed a suspension of operations stay.

(With inputs from PTI) .