CoTU imposes 72-hr shutdown along NH-2
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, July 16 2023:
Strongly condemning the continuous attacks, torching and killing of the Kuki-Zo people, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi has imposed a 72-hour total shutdown along National Highway-2 from midnight of July 16 .
CoTU's decision to impose the total shutdown came during its emergency meeting held at Gamgiphai this afternoon where it also adopted various other resolutions as well.
During the total shutdown, all shops will remain shut and vehicle movement including private vehicles will completely cease in the district.
Only medical services will be exempted from the purview of the total shutdown.
CoTU general secretary, Lamminlun Singsit said that yesterday in the Sekmai area, unruly mobs torched three trucks of M/S Misao Gas Service.
Secondly, he alleged that militants attacked Kuki-Zo village Thangbuh and Tingkai Khullen in Kangpokpi district today in collusion with groups like the Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun at around 10 am and killed one innocent Kuki-Zo volunteer.
The Kuki-Zo volunteer killed in the attack has been identified as Jangkholun Haokip (34), son of Jangkhai Haokip of Thangbuh village.
Lamminlun Singsit also said that despite the lifting of the highway blockade by the KNO and UPF, the valley people led by the Meira Paibis blocked all routes connecting the Kuki-Zo people settlements from Imphal, and no essential commodities were allowed to transport into Kuki-Zo inhabited areas.
The CoTU also resolved in its meeting today that all business establishments and vehicle movement including private vehicles will be allowed to open or given passage from 6 am to 12 noon only from July 18, which means all business establishments and vehicle movement will be restricted from noon onward every day.
It also resolved that all educational institutions including Government, private, will be completely closed until further notice.
The CoTU appealed to the Central Government to take stringent action against the Meitei outfits and address the problems of the Kuki-Zo people.
Meanwhile, the CoTU also strongly condemned the attack on Kuki-Zo village, Phaileng in the peripheral area of Kangpokpi the whole day from early morning today by militants in collusion with Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun using sophisticated weapons and bombs.