Ukhrul: Bringing relief to commuters and villagers along the Imphal-Ukhrul route, the Working Committee of Kuki Civil Society Organisations, Ukhrul (WCKCSOs-Ukhrul) today announced the lifting of its Counter Economic Blockade and Total Shutdown on National Highway-202 with effect from 4:30 PM today, 11 August 2026.
In its press release No. WC/PR79/08/26 issued by the Department of Information and Media, the committee confirmed that the decision was taken after receiving concrete assurance from the Government of Manipur.
What was the blockade about?
The Counter Economic Blockade was enforced from midnight of 27 July 2026 and was intensified into a Total Shutdown from 5 August 2026. According to the WCKCSOs-Ukhrul, the action was not voluntary but compulsive, taken in response to a selective economic blockade allegedly imposed by certain Tangkhul and Meitei groups against the Kuki community.
The committee had alleged that checkpoints were set up at Seijang, Yaingangpokpi, Wunghon and Sokvao along NH-202, obstructing the movement of essential commodities, food and medicines meant for Kuki villages in Ukhrul, Kamjong and parts of Kangpokpi.
Timeline of recent escalation:
The agitation escalated quickly in the past two weeks. On 27 July, fresh tension erupted at Shangkai village near Litan Police Station when escorted vehicles were allegedly stopped and goods were offloaded, with videos of the incident circulating on social media.
On 28 July, Manipur Police filed an FIR at Litan Police Station after an India Post mail van was intercepted on NH-202 between Yaingangpokpi and Litan Road and 35 postal bags containing passports, ATM cards, educational documents were burnt. Postal services to Ukhrul were temporarily suspended following the incident.
Claiming that memoranda and peaceful protests yielded no result, the WCKCSOs-Ukhrul issued a 48-hour ultimatum from midnight of 3 August to midnight of 5 August, warning of a total shutdown if free movement was not restored. After the deadline expired, the committee enforced an indefinite shutdown in 14 Kuki villages from 5 August, exempting only medical emergencies, water, electricity, telecom, airport-bound passengers and security forces on verification.
The committee also repeatedly clarified that its agitation had no connection whatsoever with the United Naga Council’s blockade on NH-2. While the UNC’s blockade was linked to demands for justice for six slain Zeliangrong men, the WCKCSOs-Ukhrul said its protest was solely for equal dignity and equal survival.
Why was it lifted now?
The breakthrough came at a meeting held today at 1:00 PM at Shangkai, where a Government delegation led by Hon’ble Home Minister Shri Govindas Konthoujam and Government Spokesperson Shri Thokchom Radhe Shyam informed the WCKCSOs-Ukhrul that an agreement had been reached with the concerned Tangkhul and Meitei groups to end the selective blockade against the Kuki community.
A handwritten agreement was also executed between the WCKCSOs-Ukhrul and the Government delegates, whereby the Government undertook responsibility for ensuring the safety and security of NH-202 and preventing any blockade or disturbance by any group in the future.
In view of this development and the Government’s assurance of free and non-discriminatory movement of essential commodities, the WCKCSOs-Ukhrul hereby lifts the Counter Economic Blockade and Total Shutdown from 4:30 PM today, the committee stated.
The organisation appreciated the Government’s intervention and said it expects the agreement to be implemented in letter and spirit, ensuring that no community is subjected to selective economic restrictions.
The committee has informed that normal movement may resume from 4:30 PM today.
This development is expected to ease the supply of essential commodities to interior villages and restore postal and transport services that were severely hit during the 16-day-long impasse.
