SFs dismantle illegal checkpoints in Kangpokpi district
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal/Knagpokpi, February 27 2025: IMP/KPI: Security forces successfully removed four unauthorised checkpoints along National Highway 02 on Thursday, ending an extortion scheme that had driven up prices of essential goods throughout the region.

A joint operation involving the Indian Army, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and Manipur Police targeted illegal checkpoints between Sapermaina and Kanglatongbi.

These checkpoints, operated by local miscreants, had been forcing vehicles to pay unauthorised "taxes" to pass.

The illegal roadblocks had become increasingly problematic in recent months, with rising extortion demands directly contributing to inflation of basic commodity prices across the state.

Reports indicate the checkpoints occasionally blocked vehicles carrying essential supplies entirely.

Authorities launched the operation following numerous complaints from residents and transporters.

Local communities have expressed appreciation for the coordinated effort, which is expected to reduce financial pressure on middle and lower-income families in both hill and valley districts.

Meanwhile, tensions flared along National Highway-2 in Kangpokpi district, after the security forces launched a pre-dawn demolition operation near Gamgiphai, adjoining area between Kangpokpi and Imphal West districts.

The operation has triggered controversy, with security officials justifying the action as the removal of "illegal extortion checkpoints", while the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) condemned it as a targeted eviction drive under the pretext of highway expansion.

The operation, which commenced at 4 am, involved bulldozers dismantling what security forces described as "illegal bunkers and extortion checkpoints" .

As security personnel advanced, a large group of Kuki-Zo community members staged a protest, leading to arrest of six persons.

CoTU strongly denounced the demolitions, claiming they were intended to intimidate the Kuki-Zo populace.

The Committee stated that, "security forces' actions instilled unnecessary fear among our womenfolk, who have been manning the area since the conflict began" .

CoTU also expressed concern over security measures implemented under President's Rule, accusing the administration of forcefully imposing "normalcy" without addressing core ethnic tensions.

It reiterated its long-standing claim that the Kuki-Zo community has been systematically targeted by valley-based insurgent groups and radical militias, alleging that Meetei armed groups frequently violate buffer zones, provoking unrest in tribal-dominated areas like Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, and Jiribam.

Drawing parallels with the Jiribam incident, where heavy security deployment led to violence, CoTU warned against similar actions in Kangpokpi.

The Committee labelled the demolitions as part of a broader campaign of repression and human rights violations against the Kuki-Zo people, vowing to resist further attempts to marginalise the community.

In an appeal to the Governor, CoTU urged the administration to stop projecting the community in a negative light, while rejecting allegations that Kuki-Zo groups were blocking NH-2 and NH-37 .

The Committee called for an end to what it described as "ethnically biased security measures" .

(With inputs from Agencies) .

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