Since May 3, 2023, the ongoing siege of National Highway 2 (Imphal-Dimapur Road), National Highway 37 (Imphal-Silchar Road), Imphal-Moreh stretch of NH-2 and Asian Highway-1 by Kuki-Zomi militants and their frontal groups amidst the violent conflict between the Kuki-Zomi militants and Meiteis has further compounded the hardships faced by the local population particularly Meiteis.
The siege of the highways has not only impacted transportation and logistics but has also led to severe humanitarian crises, economic challenges, and social dismay. The residents of Manipur during this unprecedented turmoil over 19 months are facing multifaceted challenges.
One of the most immediate impacts of the highway sieges and forced confinement of the Meiteis within Manipur’s central valley, like frogs in a well, by not allowing to travel beyond Pallel along the Imphal-Moreh stretch of Asian Highway-1 to the south-east; beyond Sugunu along Imphal-Chakpikarong state highway to the south; beyond Torbung along Impha-Churachdpur-Aizawl National Highway to the south-west; beyond Keithelmanbi along the Imphal-Silchar National Highway-37 to the west; beyond Kanglatongbi along Imphal-Dimapur National Highway-2; beyond Sagolmang along Imphal-Saikhul state highway; beyond Yaingangpokpi along Imphal-Ukhrul-Jessami National Highway; has been on the economy of Manipur. National Highways 2 and 37 serve as crucial arteries for trade and transportation, linking Manipur to the rest of India. With the siege of highways by the Kuki-Zomi militants in place and the Meiteis are not allowed to pass on the highways, the movement of goods, services, and essential supplies has been drastically curtailed. This has resulted in a number of economic hardships for the citizens of Manipur.
The ongoing blockade has disrupted the supply of everyday necessities such as food, medicine, and fuel. Prices of essential commodities soared due to scarcity, pushing many families into financial distress, besides workless to earn.
Many small businesses, traders, and informal sector workers whose livelihoods depended on the free flow of goods have faced closure or significant reductions in income. Daily wage workers, in particular, suffered as local businesses struggled to survive.
Agriculture, Manipur’s primary economy, also has faced challenges. Farmers are not safe and secure working in their farmlands. Even if farmers can grow and harvest some, they are unable to transport their produce to markets, leading to wastage and financial losses. The lack of proper supply and marketing of agricultural produce further exacerbated food insecurity.
The blockade has also led to a burgeoning humanitarian crisis in Manipur, manifesting in various forms:
Scarcity of Essential Supplies – The inability to transport essential supplies has led to acute shortages of food, medicinal supplies, and other critical items. Hospitals are facing challenges in procuring medical supplies, jeopardizing the health of many in dire need of treatment.
Healthcare Access – There are reports of unavailability of essential medicines and logistical complexities in transporting patients to access better healthcare facility.
Displacement and Security Threats – As violence broke out in various parts of Manipur; many families were forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge in makeshift relief camps or with relatives. This displacement added to the strain on resources and further complicated the humanitarian situation. About 300 lives have been lost and more than 61,000 people are displaced and languishing their lives in the makeshift relief camps as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The social tensions have also led to increased social strife within the communities of Manipur, leading to a psychological toll on its citizens. The blockade has intensified divisions among various ethnic groups. The Kuki-Zomi militants’ actions were perceived as a direct threat not only by the Meitei community but also by other communities, leading to retaliatory sentiments and a breakdown of trust among communities.
The ongoing violence and lack of clear communication from the Government of India and Government of Manipur of their position on the violent conflict has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. People became increasingly wary of their safety and the safety of their families, leading to psychological distress.
Educational disruption is very frequent. Schools and educational institutions are often closed amidst the turmoil. Students are facing disruptions in their education, which not only have affected their learning but also postponed their aspirations for the future.
The siege of National Highways 2 and 37 in Manipur paints a picture of a State grappling with systemic issues rooted structurally in ethnic identities, governance, and social cohesion. The long-term implications of this unrest are significant.
Political Ramifications – The ongoing violent conflict could have lasting impacts on political dynamics and governance in Manipur. National and State leaders must address the root causes of these tensions to avoid further escalations in violence and unrest.
Economic Repercussions – The economic fallout could have long-lasting effects on development and poverty rates in Manipur. If the blockade continues, the sustainable recovery of businesses and livelihoods will be severely impeded.
Social Cohesion – For a lasting cohesive coexistence of different ethnic groups in Manipur, the Government of India and Government of Manipur have to stop the Kuki-Zomi militants’ violence against the Meiteis and the retaliatory actions of the Meiteis. Initiatives focused on building trust and understanding among diverse ethnic groups may hold the key to a more harmonious society.
The siege of National Highways 2 and 37 in Manipur since May 3, 2023, has underscored the precarious situation facing its citizens. From economic and humanitarian crises to social unrest, the impacts of this conflict ripple through the lives of the individuals in the State. The need for dialogue, effective governance, and humanitarian support cannot be overstated; these elements will be vital in guiding Manipur toward a path of stability and peace. As the citizens grapple with their hardships, the call for unity and resilience becomes paramount in overcoming the adversities that lie ahead.
Meanwhile, on December 4, 2024, Manipur Government officially resumed inter-district public bus services to and fro for Imphal to Senapati via Kangpokpi and Imphal to Churachandpur via Bishnupur, which remained suspended for over 19 months since the violent conflict between the Kuki-Zomi militants and Meiteis erupted on May 3 last year.
However, the MST buses from Imphal to Churachandpur via Bishnupur and Imphal to Senapati via Kangpokpi found no passengers, while a few were reportedly seen waiting for the buses to take them from Imphal to Bishnupur or Moirang or Phougakchao Ikhai en route to Churachandpur.
Notably, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi became Kuki-Zomi dominated areas after cleansing the Meiteis from the areas by the Kuki-Zomi militants attacking them with gun fires, burning down houses and destroying the villages since May 3, 2023 while the Kuki-Zomi tribes left Manipur’s central valley in fear of some radical Meitei’s retaliations against them as the State has failed to protect the lives and properties of the people.
While Manipur has been embroiled in turmoil due to a complex web of ethnic tensions, political dissent, and violence; the State Government on December 3, 2024 announced that it would resume movement of traffic of public vehicles on Imphal-Kangpokpi-Senapati, Senapati-Kangpokpi-Imphal, Imphal-Bishnupur-Churachandpur and Churachandpur-Bishnupur-Imphal routes with “adequate security” with effect from December 4.
“The State Government has reviewed the law and order situation in the State with the availability of security forces, response system and feasibility inputs from different agencies and has decided to resume traffic of public vehicles with adequate security deployment,” Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi informing the general public said in the order to resume the public transport, adding that the initiative aims to alleviate the public grievances.
The Chief Secretary, in his order, stated that initially the movement of the public transport will be restricted to fixed hours only and invited people willing to travel by any of these routes to contact the deputy commissioners concerned.
Further, the Chief Secretary appealed to all the stakeholders to extend co-operation and support to the initiative starting from December 4, and to start using the routes as usual and not to resort to any form of violence or illegal acts which will disturb the movement of the vehicles along these routes.
“Anybody without exemption, if involved in acts which disturb movement of vehicles and commutation of people along these routes shall be dealt with sternly and will be prosecuted under the relevant laws of the land,” the Government of Manipur, in the order, warned.
However, unfortunately, despite the assurance of deploying adequate security and stern warning against the acts of disturbance to the initiative, no one feels safe and secure to board on the MST buses.
The Government’s latest attempts to resume public transport services met with stiff resistance not only from the Kuki-Zomi groups but also from Meiteis this time. In protest against the initiative of the State Government to resume public transport services after 19 months since the eruption of the violent conflict, the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) imposed a 48-hour shutdown from midnight on December 3 saying that Manipur Government is trying to normalise the situation by force.
Last year too, MST buses which were flagged off by the State Government with a hyped publicity on December 23 for plying from Imphal to Churachandpur via Bishnupur and Imphal to Mao via Kangpokpi returned midway due to blockage by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) and COTU.
The Chief Secretary of Manipur on December 21, 2023 issued an order for MST buses to travel to and fro Imphal to Mao via Kangpokpi and Imphal to Churachandpur via Bishnupur. However, the initiative failed on the first day as near-empty Imphal-Churachandpur was not allowed to travel beyond Phougakchao Ikhai, while the MST buses for Imphal to Mao had to return from Kanglatongbi due to barricades put up at along Imphal-Dimapur National Highway Number 2 (NH-2) by the volunteers of COTU.
Given the present context, the ill-timed initiative of Manipur Government has failed the resumption of Manipur State Transport (MST) bus services along the National Highways for the second time in two attempts. This shows that the Kuki-Zomi militants and their frontal groups reign the National Highways as the Central Security Forces remain silent spectators. Despite Government attempts to run state public transport siege of highways by Kuki-Zomi militants and their frontal groups continues while Meiteis are facing more hardships.
Senior Editor: Imphal Review of Arts and Politics
