KZC continues to talk in two tongues on highway status
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 15 2025: Directly contradicting the Government's claims of progress in peace efforts, the Kuki Zo Council (KZC) has stated that it has not announced the reopening of the Imphal-Dimapur road (National Highway-02) and has not permitted free movement along this route.

In a statement specifically addressed to the Meetei community by its chairman Henlianthang Thanglet and general secretary Thangzamang, the KZC emphasized that buffer zones must be strictly respected and any violation would lead to serious consequences.

The Council also said that no one from Meetei and Kuki communities must cross the buffer zones as there is no settlement or agreement for the conflict to end in Manipur.

The KZC said their request was only to the people of Kangpokpi to extend cooperation to the security forces as directed by the Ministry of Home Affairs in maintaining safety of commuters along National Highway-2 However, this statement of KZC on the status of the highway contradicts its earlier press release issued on September 4 by its information and publicity secretary Ginza Vualzong, which clearly stated that National Highway-2 was never closed or blocked and has consistently remained open for commuters and goods transportation, rendering the question of "reopening" irrelevant.

In the second paragraph of the September 4 statement, the KZC wrote, "We categorically reiterate that the Imphal-Dimapur NH-02 has never been closed or blocked.

The NH-02 has consistently remained open for commuters and for the transportation of essential goods.

Therefore, the question of 'reopening' does not arise, contrary to certain media reports" .

Amid the controversy surrounding the opening of the highway, the residence of Ginza Vualzong was targeted by miscreants last night, but timely intervention by locals prevented it from being set on fire, said officials.

This attack echoes a similar incident on July 4, 2023, when the house of Kuki National Organisation (KNO) spokesperson Seilen Haokip in Churachandpur's Songpi was set ablaze after KNO and the United People's Front (UPF) announced that the blockade on National Highway-02 would be lifted.

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