IMPHAL, March 10: Vehicular movement on National Highway-37, connecting Imphal to Silchar via Jiribam and Tamenglong, remained suspended for the second consecutive day on Monday due to an indefinite shutdown imposed by various Kuki-Zo groups.
The Rongmei Naga Council Manipur (RNCM) expressed deep concern over the strike called by the Kuki Students’ Organisation, Jiribam and Tamenglong (KSO J&T), which began at midnight on March 8. The shutdown is being held in protest against the free movement initiative introduced by the central government.
In an official statement, the RNCM warned that the indefinite blockade threatens inter-community peace and severely impacts people’s livelihoods, particularly in Tamenglong and Noney districts. The council urged the concerned groups to lift the shutdown and work towards maintaining harmony in the region.
Meanwhile, over 200 goods-laden vehicles, including LPG tankers, remain stranded at Jiribam district headquarters due to the blockade. The shutdown has caused significant disruption to the transportation of essential goods in the region.
In response to the ongoing blockade, security forces have intensified their measures across vulnerable locations, setting up 109 checkpoints in various districts to ensure the safe movement of people and goods. However, no detentions have been reported so far, according to the police.
