Kuki CSO Issues 24 Hour Ultimatum Over Repeated Confiscation and Burning of Essential Goods

Kuki CSO Issues 24 Hour Ultimatum Over Repeated Confiscation and Burning of Essential Goods

Kuki CSO Working Committee Ukhrul has given the district administrations of Imphal East, Kangpokpi, and Ukhrul – a 24 hours to ensure the safe and unhindered movement of essential goods to Kuki areas and to stop all further acts of confiscation.

Failure to do so will compel the Kuki CSO Working Committee Ukhrul to enforce a three-day strict counter economic blockade, effective from 12:00 midnight on 23 July 2026.

The press statement stated that “‘the Kuki CSO Working Committee (WCKCSOs) -Ukhrul strongly condemns the repeated confiscation, burning of essential commodities and threatening of drivers transporting goods meant for the Kuki population of Ukhrul, despite the assurance given by the Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul, during a closed-door meeting on 25 June 2026 where these issues were discussed in detail.

“Following that assurance, incidents of confiscation have continued to be reported at Wunghon, Saijang, and most recently at Shokvao. Such actions make a mockery of the administration’s commitment to ensure the safe movement of essential supplies.

“For nearly a month, the illegal blockade of NH-02 by Naga and Meitei groups at Senapati and Kanglatonbi has continued with little to no effective intervention from the Governments of Manipur and India. Their inaction has effectively enabled the blockade to persist, while any blockade or protest by the Kuki-Zo community has historically been met with swift enforcement.

“With NH-02 blocked, NH-202 became Manipur’s only lifeline. Acting in good faith and trusting the DC’s assurance, the Kuki-Zo community has allowed the escorted movement of hundreds of vehicles through our areas every day. Yet, the few vehicles carrying supplies for Kuki-Zo civilians have repeatedly been intercepted, with goods reportedly confiscated and burnt by Meitei and Tangkhul groups in collaboration with Inspector Yangmi Hashunao Shimray, Officer-in-Charge of Yaingangpokpi Police Station. Essential goods worth nearly 10 lakh have reportedly been lost so far.

“The Kuki-Zo community has exercised maximum restraint and humanitarian consideration despite the ongoing ethnic conflict. That restraint should not be mistaken for weakness. We cannot continue to facilitate the movement of supplies for others while our own people are systematically denied the same.

“WCKCSOs hereby gives the district administrations of Imphal East, Kangpokpi, and Ukhrul 24 hours to ensure the safe and unhindered movement of essential goods to Kuki-Zo areas and to stop all further acts of confiscation.

“Failure to do so will compel WCKCSOs to enforce a three-day strict counter economic blockade, effective from 12:00 midnight on 23 July 2026. The responsibility for any consequences arising from this action shall lie solely with the concerned authorities.”

Issued by the Department of Information and Media, WCKCSOS -Ukhrul