NHRC orders fresh probe into NH-2 blockade; Cites serious rights concerns

The NHRC has ordered a fresh inquiry and the submission of an action-taken report on allegations of continued obstruction along National Highway-2 in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district-a vital arterial route whose protracted blockade is said to have caused immense humanitarian and economic hardship.
The order comes in response to a complaint filed by Asem Roshan Singh on June 25, 2025, and received formally by the Commission on June 30. The petition had alleged a “complete denial of safe access” along NH-2 in Kangpokpi district, leading to acute shortages of essential supplies and enormous economic pressure on people residing in the valley areas.
The complainant also cited repeated failures of the state authorities to provide safe passage despite public assurances. As a key example, he referred to the March 8, 2024 attack on former RIMS Medical Superintendent Dr. Yengkhom Mohen Singh and his team, who were reportedly assaulted even while travelling under official escort. The complaint characterised the incident as a serious lapse in the state’s duty to safeguard citizens.
The NHRC, in its observation, stated that inconsistencies occurred in earlier reports. A status report, submitted by the Superintendent of Police, Imphal West, on September 4, 2025, stated that no such incident occurred within the district’s jurisdiction. The Commission, however, noted that the attack reportedly took place near Gamphiphai under the Kangpokpi district police jurisdiction.
Taking note of this clarification, the Commission directed its Registry to transmit the complaint to the District Magistrate-cum-Collector, Kangpokpi district, and the Superintendent of Police, Kangpokpi district, directing both the authorities to conduct a fresh inquiry and submit an action-taken report within two weeks.
The NHRC further ordered that the full report, including additional findings sought in the matter, should be submitted on or before January 4, 2026. All communications and reports must be uploaded through the HRCNet portal; the Commission said submissions made via email “may not be entertained.”