Tension grips Kangpokpi
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, December 23 2023:
Barely a few days ahead of Christmas, tension gripped Kangpokpi district over the Home Department's public notice to ferry convoys with the provision of additional security forces along Imphal-Kangpokpi-Mao route.
The State Government's attempt to ferry the convoy along National Highway-2 (Imphal-Kangpokpi-Mao route) was foiled as enraged mobs came out on the street to confront any movement of the convoys at various locations in between Gamgiphai and Kangpokpi district headquarters.
Even a programme to inaugurate a prefabricated house at Champhai by the Governor today was cancelled owing to the volatile situation.
The irate mob imposed an emergency shutdown at Kangpokpi district headquarters, closing all shops and business establishments.
Though vehicular movement was not restricted, intense frisking and checking were carried out along the highway stretch between Kangpokpi district headquarters and Gamgiphai.
A number of village volunteers also came out with their licensed arms and took part in the agitation.
The launching of the Manipur State Transport (MST) bus service between Imphal and Senapati was also foiled as the MTS bus carrying few passengers and moving towards Senapati could not cross the Kuki areas.
It is reported that the MST bus with six passengers was emptied somewhere at Kanglatongbi near Gamgiphai and the passengers were shifted to the Senapati-Mao passenger bus.
The Kuki-Zo people considered the Home Department's public notice to open the highways "fishy" .
CoTU's spokesperson Kaiminlen Sitlhou said that they considered the 'forced normalization' of the present situation as a deliberate attempt to cover up the wrongdoings of the State Government in the course of the violence.
He said that the Manipur Government's Home Department public notice was uncalled for 'as vehicular movement was never hindered by the Kuki-Zo.'
He also said that there has been no reciprocity of supply of essential commodities from the valley till date.
"In fact, Chief Minister N Biren Singh is hell-bent on disrupting the Christmas festivity by trying to reignite animosity in the already volatile situation", he added.
He further said that the Kuki-Zo people will intensify the scrutiny of vehicular movement along Imphal- Kangpokpi-Mao route.