NH-2 crisis and the failure to enforce Amit Shah’s orders

Yesterday crisis along National Highway-2 (NH-2) in Manipur has once again exposed the failure of authorities to ensure the free movement of goods and people, despite Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s clear directive to keep the national highways open. The continuing blockade and unrest on NH-2 not only violate the fundamental rights of citizens but also reflect the deep-seated challenges in maintaining law and order in the state. The situation demands a critical evaluation of both administrative inefficiency and the rising tensions between communities over the issue of free movement along the Indo-Myanmar border.
When Home Minister Amit Shah directed that all roads including the national highways in Manipur should be kept open, it was seen as a necessary step to restore normalcy in a state already suffering from ethnic conflicts and economic disruption. However, the ground reality remains starkly different. The inability of the state and central forces to effectively implement this order has led to a worsening humanitarian crisis, with essential supplies being blocked and civilians bearing the brunt of political and ethnic tensions. NH-2, a crucial lifeline for the state, continues to witness frequent blockades by Kuki civil society organizations (CSOs), preventing movement and violating the fundamental right to free passage. This raises serious questions about the state’s governance and its commitment to enforcing central directives. If the government fails to ensure basic connectivity through its national highways, it risks further alienating affected communities and escalating unrest.
The failure to address these issues decisively has had severe consequences. Prices of essential commodities have soared, supply chains have been disrupted, and the common people—especially in the valley areas—have been subjected to immense hardship. Moreover, the government’s inability to keep the highways open has emboldened groups that seek to use economic blockades as a tool of political bargaining, further destabilizing an already fragile region. From the perspective of Meitei CSOs, the blockade of NH-2 is yet another attempt to impose dominance through economic strangulation, despite the fact that national highways should remain open for all communities without bias. The selective opposition to free movement further adds to the perception that Kuki CSOs are prioritizing their political agenda over broader regional stability.
To prevent future crises, both the state and central governments must take firm action to enforce Amit Shah’s orders and ensure that NH-2 remains open at all times. Deploying additional security forces, imposing strict legal measures against those enforcing blockades, and engaging in transparent dialogue with all stakeholders are essential steps. At the same time, the concerns over free movement should be addressed through constitutional means rather than unilateral actions that disrupt civilian life. Any debate over cross-border travel policies should take place within the framework of law and governance rather than through road blockades and economic disruption. Manipur’s fragile peace cannot afford another prolonged highway crisis. The government must rise to the occasion and uphold the constitutional rights of all citizens, ensuring that essential connectivity is maintained for the greater good of the state and its people.