Over 300 vehicles remained stranded on Manipur’s NH-2 as the Kangpokpi shutdown entered its fifth consecutive day
Share
IMPHAL — More than 300 vehicles, mostly goods trucks and passenger buses, remained stranded along National Highway-2 in Manipur’s Senapati district on Sunday as a shutdown called in Kangpokpi district entered its fifth consecutive day.
The shutdown, called by the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), an apex body of the Kuki community, began from midnight of May 13 across Kuki-inhabited areas in mourning and protest over the killing of three church leaders in Kangpokpi district.
The agitation was later extended by another 48 hours in protest against the alleged detention of 14 civilians. On Sunday, the shutdown was extended for a second time for another 48 hours beginning midnight of May 17.
Also read: Manipur gears up for SIR of electoral rolls
The continued blockade has disrupted vehicular movement along the Kangpokpi and Senapati stretches of NH-2, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded at multiple locations, including between Khongnem and Tumuyon Khullen villages and in the Lairouching area.
According to residents of Senapati town, located about 60 km north of Imphal, over 200 vehicles were stranded along the highway between Khongnem and Senapati town, while another 100 vehicles remained stuck between Mayangkhang and Tumuyon Khullen villages.
Passengers, including women and children, as well as drivers and transport operators, were reportedly facing hardship as food supplies and other essentials began running low due to the prolonged disruption.
NH-2, particularly the Imphal-Mao sector, serves as one of Manipur’s major lifelines, connecting the state with neighbouring regions and facilitating the transportation of essential commodities, fuel and other goods.
Meanwhile, the Senapati District Truck Owners Association and the Senapati District Truck Drivers’ Union jointly distributed essential relief items to stranded drivers and passengers along the highway on Sunday.