KANGPOKPI, March 8: Tensions flared in Kangpokpi on Saturday as security forces used tear gas to disperse a large group of Kuki protesters who were attempting to block the Imphal-Senapati highway. The confrontation began when the protesters, who were part of anti-free movement groups, gathered in a bid to obstruct the movement of vehicles along the key route.
As the situation escalated and the protesters refused to clear the road, central security forces intervened and resorted to firing tear gas to break the blockade and disperse the crowd. The area remains on high alert, with heavy security deployment in place to maintain order.
Meanwhile, the Village Volunteers – Eastern Zone, a Kuki-Zo group, has warned that no movement would be allowed in Kuki-dominated areas until their demand for a Union Territory with a legislature is addressed. The group emphasized that their call for a separate administration is not merely a political aspiration but a vital necessity for the security, survival, and dignity of the Kuki people. “Our demand for a Separate Administration is not just a political aspiration—it is a necessity for our survival, security, and dignity,” the group had stated.
The Kuki body further warned that severe consequences would follow for anyone or any organization attempting reconciliation in the region without resolving their demand.
