Manipur: Kuki-Zo Organisation Announces Blockade Following Assam Rifles Ambush

The recent ambush in Manipur's Bishnupur district, resulting in the deaths of two Assam Rifles personnel and injuries to five others, has escalated tensions in the region. A joint operation involving central and state police forces has been launched to apprehend the perpetrators of the attack.

A police official confirmed that security forces, including Assam Rifles and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), are carrying out extensive search operations across Bishnupur and neighbouring districts, such as Thoubal, Noney, and Imphal West, to locate and arrest those responsible for the violence.

The ambush has triggered a strong response from the Kuki-Zo community. The Committee on Tribal United (CoTU), a prominent Kuki-Zo organisation, announced a three-day economic blockade of the district as a form of protest. The blockade, effective from midnight on 22nd September to midnight on 25th September, will disrupt traffic along a key highway that traverses Kuki-Zo areas.

This action is expected to have a significant impact on the economic activity in the valley region, potentially causing shortages of essential goods and services. The blockade highlights the deep-seated grievances and tensions within the region, further complicating the already precarious security situation in Manipur.