Imphal: The Kuki-Zo Council in Manipur has declared a region-wide economic blockade across all Kuki-Zo-inhabited districts, protesting what it describes as a disregard for tribal rights and dignity.
The blockade, which started at midnight on January 2, will continue until 2 am on January 4, halting vehicular movement and the transportation of essential goods through the affected areas.
The Council has called for unity among all tribes, civil society groups, and organizations within the Kuki-Zo communities, urging them to demand justice and resist what they term as “systemic oppression.” This move comes after the Council fully endorsed the Committee on Tribal Unity’s (CoTU) call for a complete shutdown in Kangpokpi district, alongside mass public protests at the Kangpokpi District Headquarters scheduled for January 3, 2025.
A central demand driving the protests is the immediate withdrawal of central forces stationed in Saibol, a region that has seen increasing tensions between tribal communities and government authorities. The Kuki-Zo Council emphasized that the blockade is a collective stand against indifference and oppression, calling for solidarity across all affected communities in their fight for justice.
The decision to implement the blockade marks a significant escalation in the unrest within the region, as tribal groups continue to rally for their rights and recognition.
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