Fresh tensions erupted along National Highway-202 today after an escorted convoy travelling from Ukhrul to Imphal was intercepted at Shangkai village near Litan Police Station, where goods carried by commuters were forcibly offloaded despite the presence of security forces.
The incident comes at a time when the BJP-led government has been projecting that normalcy is returning to Manipur, but the disruption of an escorted convoy on a national highway has once again exposed the fragile security situation in the hill districts.
According to sources, the incident occurred at around 10 a.m. when vehicles travelling under security escort, including passenger buses and private cars, were stopped at Shangkai, a Kuki village along NH-202. Goods and essential commodities carried by commuters were looted by the Kuki villagers.
Videos circulating on social media purportedly show women unloading goods from the vehicles while Manipur Police and other security personnel remained present at the site. However, no official statement had been issued by the security agencies regarding the circumstances of the incident or whether any action had been taken against those involved.
The development coincided with the enforcement of a counter economic blockade on NH-202 by the Working Committee of Kuki Civil Society Organisations (WCKCSOs)-Ukhrul, which came into effect from midnight on July 26 following consultations with Kuki-Zo civil society organisations in Ukhrul and Kangpokpi districts.
The latest disruption raises fresh concerns over the government’s ability to guarantee free movement on Manipur’s highways despite repeated assertions that law and order have substantially improved. The interception of vehicles travelling under security escort and the public seizure of goods on a national highway have once again highlighted the continuing challenges to restoring unrestricted civilian movement in the conflict-affected state.
No reports of injuries or arrests had been received at the time of filing this report.