Protest against ‘economic blockade’ in Manipur escalates as Kuki-Zo groups try to enter ‘buffer zone’

2 min readGuwahatiJun 30, 2026 09:59 PM IST

This comes amid a month-and-a-half-long ‘economic blockade’ by Naga groups, blocking the entry of goods and supplies into Kuki-Zo areas, as tensions escalated between the two communities

(Representational Image)

Tension flared up in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district Tuesday after Kuki-Zo protesters staged a demonstration at the border between Kangpokpi and Imphal West districts, demanding the restoration of the supply of essential commodities along National Highway-2 into Kangpokpi.

This comes amid a month-and-a-half-long ‘economic blockade’ by Naga groups, blocking the entry of goods and supplies into Kuki-Zo areas, as tensions escalated between the two communities. Kangpokpi, a Kuki-Zo majority district, is the worst affected as both major routes through which goods enter the district have been blocked by Naga groups in Naga-majority Senapati district and the state capital, as reported earlier by The Indian Express.

On Tuesday, the protesters marched towards the ‘buffer zone’ — between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo inhabited areas, which have largely been heavily manned by security forces through the course of the conflict between the two communities since May 2023 — beyond Gamgiphai in Kangpokpi district, where they alleged that the goods were being blockaded.

Security forces deployed at the ‘buffer zone’ stopped the procession from advancing, leading to a brief face-off with the demonstrators. As tensions escalated, security personnel used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and prevent them from crossing the ‘buffer zone’.

48-hour ultimatum

Tuesday’s protest had been called by the Committee on Tribal Unity — a Kuki-Zo organisation in Kangpokpi -– after issuing a 48-hour “ultimatum” to the Centre and Manipur government on June 27 to restore the movement of goods on the highway. The group had said it would “undertake appropriate and pre-emptive democratic measures to safeguard the interests, rights and security of the general public” if the blockade wasn’t removed by Monday.

Highway blockades have been a recurring feature during the conflict and protests in Manipur, and have also been deployed on multiple occasions by the Kuki-Zo groups in Kangpokpi in the past. But with the conflict now turning into a three-way one — between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei, and Kuki-Zo and Naga communities — groups in Kangpokpi find themselves increasingly geographically isolated.

Sukrita Baruah is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Guwahati. From this strategic hub, she provides comprehensive, ground-level coverage of India's North East, a region characterized by its complex ethnic diversity, geopolitical significance, and unique developmental challenges.

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Ethnic & Social Dynamics: Deep-dive coverage of regional conflicts (such as the crisis in Manipur) and peace-building efforts.

Border & Geopolitics: Tracking developments along India’s international borders and their impact on local communities.

Governance & Policy: Reporting on state elections, tribal council decisions, and the implementation of central schemes in the North East.

Specialized Education Background: Prior to her current role, Sukrita was a dedicated Education Correspondent for The Indian Express in Delhi. This experience provided her with a sharp analytical lens for:

Policy Analysis: Evaluating the National Education Policy (NEP) and university-level reforms.

Student Affairs: Covering high-stakes stories regarding campus politics, national entrance exams, and the challenges within the primary and secondary education sectors. ... Read More

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