UKHRUL, July 27 | EKHON: More than 40 vehicles were allegedly stopped and passengers’ belongings looted along NH-202 on Monday, with the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) accusing Kuki groups of carrying out the highway blockade and questioning the failure of security forces to intervene.
The incidents took place around 9:15 a.m. at Shangkai Kuki village and Mahadev Hill, according to the TNL, amid a “counter economic blockade” announced by the Kuki CSO Working Committee, Ukhrul, from midnight on July 26.
In a statement, the TNL alleged that commercial and private vehicles travelling under security escort were forcibly halted and that cash, valuable documents, clothes and groceries were taken from passengers. Some belongings were allegedly burned, it said.
The organisation further alleged that the incidents unfolded in the presence of security personnel deployed on reconnaissance and observation post (ROP) duty, raising serious questions over the security arrangements on the highway.
The TNL accused the state police, central security forces, district administration and state government of failing to prevent a brazen attack on commuters and their property.
The organisation demanded answers on why security personnel failed to intervene despite being present at the locations, and what preventive measures the district administration had taken after the “counter economic blockade” was announced.
It also questioned why the government had allegedly not acted against the Kuki CSO Working Committee over repeated illegal activities along NH-202.
The TNL further renewed its demand for the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups, alleging that the arrangement has failed to prevent armed elements from engaging in activities that threaten public safety.
The TNL called for the immediate withdrawal of the counter blockade and warned that continued obstruction of NH-202 could further endanger commuters and disrupt essential movement between Ukhrul and Imphal.
The Tangkhul apex body also accused the Kuki CSO Working Committee of aggravating tensions through the blockade and said the state government and security agencies must act decisively to protect commuters and keep the highway open.
