Shutdowns imposed on NH-202, NH-2
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, October 10 2026: The Working Committee of Kuki Civil Society Organisations, Ukhrul (WCKCSOs-Ukhrul) has announced an indefinite total shutdown along National Highway 202 (NH-202), connecting Imphal and Ukhrul, from 11 am on October 10 .

Separately, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) called a 24-hour total shutdown along National Highway 2 (NH-2), connecting Imphal and Dimapur, across Kangpokpi district from 6 pm on Saturday until 6 pm on October 11 .

The shutdowns were called in protest against fresh incidents of violence reported in the hill districts today.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen has condemned the killings of civilians in Kamjong and Ukhrul districts.

In her condemnation statement, Kipgen expressed grief over the deaths of the three civilians in separate incidents amid renewed violence in the State's hill districts.

Domkhonei Touthang, wife of Lallenmang Touthang and a mother of five from Chassad village in Kamjong district, reportedly succumbed to gunshot injuries on the night of October 9 .

Michael Ngamminlen Haokip, son of Paothang Haokip, was reportedly killed during violence in Chassad in the early hours of October 10 .

In another incident, Sandeep Rai, 40, a Gorkhali farmer from Senapati district, was reportedly ambushed at around 6 am on October 10 while travelling towards his leased farmland at Chepu Yaolen in Ukhrul district.

Expressing condolences to the bereaved families, the Deputy Chief Minister urged the authorities to conduct thorough and impartial investigations and bring those responsible to justice.

She appealed to all concerned to exercise restraint, warning against retaliatory violence, and stressed that the protection of every civilian life must remain paramount.

Meanwhile, Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body of the Kuki tribes, accused the NSCN (IM) and its Eastern Flank of orchestrating coordinated attacks against Kuki-Zo civilians in Chassad in Kamjong district, Yaolen in Ukhrul district and the IT Road region of Kangpokpi district.

The organisation called on the Central and State Governments to address the situation, arguing that lasting peace could not be achieved through selective justice, state-backed terror or the appeasement of militant factions.

It also urged National and international human rights organisations to take immediate cognisance of the alleged violations.

WCKCSOs-Ukhrul said its indefinite shutdown along NH-202 was enforced in response to the grave security situation and the reported targeting of civilians.

It said the shutdown would continue until further notice, warning that responsibility for its consequences rested with those whose actions have made normal life increasingly unsafe.

CoTU, announcing the shutdown along NH-2, said the reported attacks posed a serious threat to civilian lives and security.

It expressed concern over the possibility of further attacks in other vulnerable areas and described the shutdown as a precautionary measure to protect civilians and prevent further escalation.

CoTU urged residents, business establishments, transport operators and other concerned parties to observe the shutdown, exempting emergency medical services and other essential life-saving services.

It also appealed to the public to remain vigilant, maintain peace and refrain from actions that could aggravate the situation.

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