Songpi, Aug 5, 2026: The ongoing agitation in Ukhrul district intensified on Tuesday after the Kuki CSO Working Committee announced a 72-hour total shutdown along National Highway-202 starting from 12:00 AM on August 5, 2026, even as Kuki school children and student groups joined the protest to express solidarity.
The announcement comes on the 10th day of what the committee describes as a counter-economic blockade, launched in response to an alleged selective economic blockade imposed by certain Tangkhul and Meitei groups that has choked the supply of essential goods to Kuki inhabited areas.
According to the organizers, the present agitation is a continuation of four days of peaceful demonstrations held in June. They said the June protests had concluded after the Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul gave verbal assurances that their grievances would be addressed promptly.
The committee claimed that in the past one and a half months, multiple memoranda were submitted and several rounds of discussions were held with the district administration. However, they alleged, no concrete action or written order has been issued to resolve the issue.
Organizers further alleged that a crucial scheduled meeting with the Deputy Commissioner to finalize a resolution was cancelled at the last moment. They said the administration later proposed to hold the meeting virtually, but no date was fixed and no follow-up communication was received, which they termed as administrative insincerity.
Addressing a large gathering of protesters, including Kuki school students, Mercy Khongsai, spokesperson of the Kuki CSO Working Committee, said the participation of children reflects the depth of the humanitarian crisis.
“Our children have come out not to bunk school, but to save their future. When medicines, books, and food are blocked selectively, it is the students who suffer the most. They have joined today to ask the government where is justice, where is equality,” Khongsai said.
She added that the committee has maintained utmost restraint and followed democratic means of protest, but peaceful appeals have gone unanswered.
Khongsai said, “We are not demanding anything unconstitutional. We are demanding the immediate lifting of the selective blockade, restoration of free movement of essential supplies, and the right to live with dignity without discrimination. If a democratic government cannot listen to peaceful voices, what message is it giving to the next generation?”
The Working Committee stated that the counter-blockade was never their first choice, but a compulsive response to ensure their own survival after their supply lines were allegedly cut off. They alleged that trucks carrying essential commodities meant for Kuki villages were being stopped and checked selectively, while other vehicles were allowed.
With the 72-hour total shutdown now called, movement of all vehicles and commercial establishments along the lifeline NH-202, the Ukhrul-Imphal-Jessami Highway, is expected to come to a complete halt. This highway is the main connectivity for Ukhrul district to Imphal and Nagaland.
The committee has appealed to all transporters, business owners, and the general public to cooperate and support the shutdown as a collective call for justice. It also warned that if the government still fails to respond meaningfully within the 72-hour period, the agitation will be further intensified and extended to other forms of democratic protest.
Meanwhile, student leaders who joined the protest said they will continue to support the movement until a written assurance is given by the government. They expressed concern over shortage of study materials and essential goods in hostel facilities due to the prolonged blockade.
Sources said security forces have been put on alert and additional deployment is expected along NH-202 to prevent any untoward incident during the shutdown period.
Till the filing of this report, there has been no official response or statement from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul, or the state government.
This is a developing story. Further updates will follow.
