Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: The Kuki Women Union of Ukhrul began an indefinite sit-in protest on Sunday in the Shangkai area of Manipur. Organised by the Women Committee of Kuki Civil Society Organisations, the demonstration highlights growing concerns over the restriction of essential goods into Kuki-Zo villages.
Protesters are demanding a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul to secure a permanent solution for the transit of vital commodities. The group claims that administrative inaction has created a humanitarian crisis, noting that goods worth nearly Rs 2 lakh were confiscated on June 15. The committee alleged that while their supplies are being intercepted, other shipments continue to receive security protection.
The demonstrators previously submitted a memorandum on June 16, but they received no response by the designated deadline. Organisers warned that the ongoing disruption to supply chains is causing severe hardship for local villagers who rely on these routes for food and basic necessities.
Beyond the supply crisis, the committee addressed recent news coverage regarding alleged criminal activity in the region. They rejected reports published on June 19 that claimed incidents of abduction and extortion occurred at Mongkot Chepu. Describing these reports as misleading, the organisation stated, "The organisation urged media outlets to verify information with local authorities before publishing reports that could potentially aggravate tensions in the region." The committee indicated they may pursue legal action if unverified allegations against the Kuki-Zo community continue.
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