Sadar Hills July 26, 2026: The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills Kangpokpi on Friday has issued a strong condemnation against the ongoing inter-district economic blockade enforced by Naga civil bodies, alleging that the agitation has turned into systematic violence against non-tribal mainland Indians and other minorities living in Kuki dominated areas.
In a press statement issued on July 25, CoTU said the blockade, which has been continuing for months and has cut off supply of essential commodities to Kuki inhabited hill districts, is now being used to unleash atrocities on innocent civilians.
According to CoTU, the worst affected are the non-tribal residents from mainland India – including migrant labourers, small traders, shopkeepers, Bihari and Gorkha communities who have been residing in Sadar Hills Kangpokpi for years.
Viral Video of Assault Cited
The committee pointed to a viral video that surfaced this week, which purportedly shows a non-tribal man from mainland India being brutally beaten up by blockade enforcers at Namduilong checkpoint. CoTU said this is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of “unprovoked assault, intimidation, harassment and financial extortion” being carried out in the name of the blockade.
“Our mainland Indian brothers, who came here for livelihood, are being beaten, threatened and forced to pay money. What justice is this?” the statement questioned.
Blockade Lost Its Purpose: CoTU
CoTU said while the Naga organisations had launched the blockade demanding justice for the killing of six persons, the authorities have already acted swiftly and arrested the suspects. Despite that, the blockade has not been lifted.
This, CoTU alleged, proves that the agitation is no longer about justice but has become a political tool to divert attention from other serious crimes – including the alleged killing of three Kuki church leaders on May 13 and other violent incidents allegedly perpetrated by cadres of NSCN-IM and ZUF (Kamson faction).
The committee also questioned the “moral high ground” claimed by the blockade sponsors, alleging that while they speak of justice, their own cadres have been involved in repeated attacks on Kuki villages, destruction of churches and properties, and assault on civilians in Noney, Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Kamjong districts.
15 Kuki Killed in One Month, Claims CoTU
While expressing sympathy to the families of the six deceased persons for whom the blockade was called, CoTU stated that the Kuki community has also suffered immensely.
CoTU alleged that within just one month, three church leaders and 15 other Kuki civilians were killed, and several villages were desecrated and destroyed, allegedly by NSCN (IM) and ZUF militants. These incidents, it said, have been ignored.
Appeal to Centre and State
CoTU urged the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to immediately stop what it called the “policy of appeasement” towards “Kacha Naga groups” and to review the unlimited territorial leverage enjoyed by the Muivah-led NSCN under the ceasefire agreement with the Centre.
“The unchecked and limitless territorial capabilities of the Muivah-led NSCN under the Ceasefire Agreement need to be reviewed before the entire North Eastern region is destabilised and to prevent the region from descending into balkanisation beyond redemption,” the committee warned.
The committee further said the prolonged economic blockade has not only choked Kuki areas but has also created a humanitarian crisis for Gorkhas, Biharis and other mainland Indians living in the hills who depend on daily supplies.
CoTU made three demands to the Centre:
1. Immediately restore free movement of essential commodities and medical supplies to Kuki areas,
2. Ensure safety and security of all civilians, including non-tribal mainland Indians living in hill districts, and
3. Take firm legal action against those involved in assault, extortion and intimidation at blockade checkpoints.
“No democratic society can permit innocent civilians to be subjected to violence under the guise of a political agitation,” CoTU concluded.
