The Supreme Court has broadened its scope of the controversy over the blockade of the National Highway 2 in Kangpokpi, with the International Meitei Organization (IMO) urging the Court to look at the broader question of persistent blockade of National Highways in Manipur and guaranteeing unimpeded access to all groups.
This is after the IMO’s intervention in W.P. (C) No. 961/2026, which was filed by the Kuki Women Organization for Human Rights, an affiliate of the Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR), over the blockade of NH-2 in Kangpokpi and restore the movement of essential supplies to the Kuki dominated areas.
Arguing on behalf of IMO, Senior Advocate Ngangom Junior Luwang informed a bench of three judges headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana that the NH-2 blockade cannot be considered in isolation from the broader issue of highway blockade problem prevailing in Manipur since May 2023.
Access “without any hindrance to all National Highways in Manipur” has been demanded by the IMO during its intervention.
While hearing the matter, the Supreme Court remarked that the case could not be resolved only on the basis of “allegations and counter-allegations.” It asked the parties to strive for peace and opening up of the roads and highways.
It asked the Kuki petitioners and the IMO to submit, within two weeks, the list of roads which are blocked, as well as the proposal for reopening those roads.
Further, the Union government and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) were made a party to the case.
The Court allowed the intervention of the IMO and gave it the liberty to submit a new petition about the roads which were blocked or subjected to any restrictions on movement.
The intervention by the IMO is mainly based on the claim for equal access to move through National Highways and availability of essentials regardless of their community and geographical location.
