Manipur highway opens, blockade of another continues

Manipur's National Highway 202, a key route connecting Imphal to Ukhrul, reopened on August 11, 2026, following the lifting of a counter-economic blockade by the Kuki Civil Society Working Committee-Ukhrul (WCKCSOS-Ukhrul). However, the more strategically vital National Highway 2, which links Manipur to Assam and beyond, remained blocked due to continued protests by the United Naga Council (UNC). This development came three days after Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh urged all communities to resume free movement on the state’s highways. The Kuki group had imposed a partial economic blockade on NH-202 on July 27, escalating it to a complete shutdown on August 5. Their action was a response to a selective economic blockade imposed by some Naga and Meitei groups targeting the Kuki community. On August 11, the WCKCSOS-Ukhrul announced the end of their blockade after a meeting with a government delegation led by Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas. During the meeting, the government informed the Kuki group about an agreement reached between the Naga and Meitei groups to stop the selective blockade against them. The two sides signed a handwritten agreement to lift the blockade. According to government spokesperson and MLA Thokchom Radheshyam, approximately 300 trucks that had been stuck near Ukhrul began moving toward Imphal after the deal was struck. He expressed hope that the government could soon secure unrestricted truck movement on NH-2 as well. Meanwhile, the blockade on NH-2 persisted despite efforts by the government to negotiate with the UNC. The UNC imposed the blockade on May 17 in protest over the abduction of six Nagas by Kuki miscreants. The bodies of the six men were found in Kangpokpi district, a region predominantly inhabited by Kukis, on June 10. A government delegation met with UNC leaders on August 10 to urge them to end the blockade, but the group stated they would only do so if the government fulfilled specific conditions. These conditions include the cancellation of the Suspension of Operations agreement between the state government and over 20 Kuki rebel groups, as well as the prosecution of individuals involved in the killings of the six Nagas. The UNC has not indicated any willingness to lift the blockade unless these demands are met. The situation highlights ongoing tensions among different ethnic communities in Manipur, particularly between the Kukis and Nagas. These disputes often manifest through economic blockades, which disrupt trade and daily life across the region. The recent resolution of the NH-202 blockade offers a glimmer of hope for improved relations, though the unresolved issues surrounding NH-2 suggest that challenges remain. The UNC's continued resistance underscores the deep-seated grievances within the community, rooted in historical conflicts and perceived injustices. While the government has made progress in addressing one aspect of the crisis, the broader issue of inter-community harmony remains complex and multifaceted. Efforts to resolve the standoff continue, with both sides engaging in dialogue aimed at finding a lasting solution. The outcome of these discussions will likely determine whether the remaining blockades can be lifted and whether peace can be restored along Manipur’s critical transportation routes.