Kuki-Zo rebuts MHA claim, says NH-2 was never blocked

Guwahati: A fresh flashpoint has emerged in Manipur’s long-running ethnic conflict as the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) strongly objected to the MHA statement that NH-2 was “reopened” for free movement of commuters and goods.

The tribal bodies assert that the highway — connecting Imphal to Dimapur — was never closed to begin with.The KZC urged the Centre for the deployment of neutral central forces along NH-2 to protect commuters. The council stressed that ensuring foolproof security is the sole responsibility of the central govt. “It is not the duty of the local public or KZC to guarantee security. The ministry of home affairs has assured us that adequate central forces will be deployed,” the council statedThe MHA in a statement on Thursday hailed a “significant decision” by the Kuki-Zo Council after a series of meetings with it in the last few days at New Delhi to reopen the highway for free movement of commuters and essential goods.In a strongly worded rebuttal, the KZC has categorically denied that the NH-02 was ever closed or obstructed. The council emphasized that the highway has remained fully operational for commuters and essential goods and dismissed the notion of a “reopening” as factually incorrect and misleading.“The NH-02 has never been blocked. The question of reopening simply does not arise,” Ginza Vualzong, secretary of information and publicity of KZC said.

KZC clarified that its recent appeal to residents of Kangpokpi to cooperate with central security forces deployed to safeguard the highway was limited to the Kangpokpi stretch of NH-02 and must not be interpreted as a call for unrestricted movement across buffer zones separating Meitei and Kuki-Zo territories.The council reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the sanctity of these zones, which remain critical to maintaining fragile peace in the region.Running through Kangpokpi district, a Kuki-Zo stronghold, NH-02 serves as a vital corridor for fuel, food, and medical supplies. Any disruption, real or perceived, has cascading effects on the valley’s economy and humanitarian conditions.Since the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023, the highway has become a symbol of fractured trust indicating that this is not just a dispute over a road but a battle over narrative, trust, and the future of co-existence in Manipur.While the MHA expressed “serious concern” over commuter safety, the Council clarified that no untoward incidents have occurred in recent months. They emphasized that the route has remained operational and safe, and urged the centre to deploy neutral central security forces to reinforce public confidence.