Indigenous Body Urges Governor Bhalla to Reopen Manipur Highways
IPFM seeks permanent reopening of NH-2 and NH-37, cites rights violations amid prolonged blockades
- Indigenous People’s Forum submits memorandum to Governor AK Bhalla
- Calls for permanent reopening of Manipur’s two National Highways
- NHRC seeks action-taken report on NH-2 blockade
- Civil society warns of protests and legal action
GG News Bureau
Imphal, 2nd Jan: A civil society organisation of indigenous people has urged Manipur Governor A.K. Bhalla to ensure the safe and permanent reopening of the state’s two National Highways, warning that continued blockades amount to a violation of citizens’ fundamental rights.
In a memorandum submitted to the Governor, the Indigenous People’s Forum, Manipur (IPFM) said prolonged closures of the highways — described as the “lifeline of the state” — have crippled the movement of essential goods and people amid the ongoing ethnic unrest.
“Despite repeated appeals, the situation has not improved, and the continued closure of these highways amounts to a denial of the people’s fundamental rights to life, movement and livelihood,” the forum stated, urging authorities to take immediate steps to restore uninterrupted traffic.
The IPFM warned that it would launch peaceful protests and approach the courts to seek protection of constitutional and humanitarian rights if the situation persists.
For several months, blockades on the highways have severely disrupted the supply of food, medicines, fuel and other essentials, leading to shortages and steep price rises. Students, patients, traders and daily wage workers are among those worst affected, the organisation said.
The appeal comes days after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) directed police and civil authorities in Kangpokpi district to submit an action-taken report on a complaint regarding denial of safe passage on National Highway-2, which connects Imphal with Dimapur in Nagaland.
The NHRC has sought a detailed report by January 4, 2026, following a petition by Imphal resident Asem Roshan Singh, who alleged that prolonged obstructions on NH-2 have resulted in intimidation, extortion and ethnic targeting, severely impacting the livelihoods and rights of civilians.
While Kuki civil society organisations and insurgent groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement have argued for maintaining physical distance between communities until a political settlement is reached, Meitei civil society groups have accused their Kuki counterparts of deliberately restricting highway access to keep tensions alive.
