Reported by Bit Irom
Imphal: An indefinite bandh and road blockade imposed by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) on national highways in Manipur has been withdrawn following assurances from government authorities.
In a statement, CoTU announced the immediate withdrawal of its emergency blockade on National Highway-2 and National Highway-37 on Monday.
The announcement came after bandh supporters, including women, confronted and clashed with security forces in the New Keithelmanbi area on NH-37, leaving three supporters critically injured.
CRPF personnel deployed tear gas shells and mock bombs to disperse the protesters.
Security personnel subsequently cleared the road, paving the way for the movement of goods-laden vehicles travelling between Imphal and Silchar via Jiribam under heavy escort.
CoTU launched the emergency blockade on the two highways to protest what it alleged were partial and selective security operations targeting the Kuki-Zo community in the Leimakhong-Kangchup areas. The committee cited ongoing violence and a failure to ensure the safety of Kuki-Zo people.
CoTU stated that the decision to withdraw the blockade was made in good faith based on assurances provided by the Superintendent of Police, Kangpokpi district.
However, the committee warned that it would continue to closely monitor the situation and reserves the right to initiate appropriate democratic measures if the commitments made by the authorities fail to materialise.
Nevertheless, CoTU continues to press its long-standing demand for justice, calling for the timely arrest and prosecution of all individuals allegedly involved in the killing of three pastors and 11 other Kuki-Zo civilians.
The committee is also demanding accountability for those accused of burning and destroying Kuki-Zo homes and villages and urged authorities to ensure that the offenders are brought to justice as quickly as possible in accordance with the law.