09-08-2025
Manipur: Nagas call off blockade after talks with government; Kukis follow suit
Tensions in Manipur showed signs of easing on Thursday after the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC) called off its blockade and agitation with immediate effect, following a meeting with the state government in Imphal. In response to the FNCC blockade, the Kuki Working Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) also enforced an economic blockade along National Highway-2 (NH-2) in retaliation to the FNCC's bandh restricting the movement of Kuki blockade will continue until the FNCC ends its unjust bandh and allows free movement of our people,' said a Kuki Working CSO spokesperson earlier.
The FNCC, which began its agitation on July 18, had been protesting alleged unauthorised road projects—most notably the 'German Road'—through Naga ancestral lands without consent. The talks, chaired by senior officials including N Ashok Kumar, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Home), addressed key FNCC concerns on unauthorised roads, the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, and illegal poppy government clarified it had neither approved nor sanctioned any unauthorised roads and assured legal action against such works after verification. It also pledged to consider the interests of Naga communities in the foothill areas when reviewing the SoO agreement and to continue strong enforcement under its 'War on Drugs' these assurances, FNCC leaders, including Dr Aku Newme and B Robin Kabui, signed an agreement with the government, leading to the immediate lifting of their blockade. The indefinite bandh, called by the FNCC, barred Kuki movement through Naga-inhabited areas, in protest against road construction projects—most notably the 'German Road'—which they say are being built through Naga ancestral lands without lifting of both blockades is expected to restore the movement of goods and people across the state's key highways.- EndsMust Watch
