GUWAHATI | A Kuki civil society organisation has lifted its counter-economic blockade and total shutdown along National Highway 202, the Imphal-Ukhrul road, following assurances from the Manipur government on the free and non-discriminatory movement of people and essential commodities.

The decision was announced on Tuesday by the Kuki Civil Society Working Committee-Ukhrul (WCKCSOS-Ukhrul) after a meeting with a state government delegation led by Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas.

The organisation had imposed the counter-economic blockade on July 27 and escalated it into a total shutdown on August 5. It was protesting what it described as a selective economic blockade imposed by Naga and Meitei groups against the Kuki community.

According to the organisation, the government delegation informed it that an understanding had been reached between Naga and Meitei groups to end the selective blockade targeting Kukis along NH-202.

A handwritten agreement was also signed between the organisation and government representatives. The government assured the Kuki group that adequate security would be provided along the highway and that attempts by any group to impose blockades or disrupt traffic would be prevented.

“In view of this development and the government’s assurance of free and non-discriminatory movement of essential commodities, the WCKCSOS-Ukhrul hereby lifts the counter-economic blockade and total shutdown from 4:30 pm today,” the organisation said in a statement.

The move immediately facilitated the movement of stranded vehicles. Government spokesperson and MLA Thokchom Radheshyam said around 300 goods-laden trucks stranded in Ukhrul district had resumed their journey towards Imphal.

Radheshyam said the government hoped to achieve a similar breakthrough on National Highway 2, the state’s principal supply route. The NH-2 blockade has remained in place since May 17 after the United Naga Council (UNC) imposed an economic blockade to protest the abduction of six Nagas by suspected Kuki militants. The bodies of all six were subsequently recovered from Kangpokpi district.

NH-2, which enters Manipur from Nagaland, is considered the shorter and more important supply route to the state compared with NH-37, which connects Manipur through southern Assam’s Barak Valley.

Radheshyam and Govindas were part of a government delegation that met representatives of the UNC on Monday in an effort to persuade the Naga body to withdraw its blockade. The UNC, however, refused to lift the blockade, insisting that its demands must first be addressed.

The Naga organisation has sought, among other measures, the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations agreement with Kuki rebel groups and prosecution of those allegedly involved in the killing of the six Nagas.

Despite the setback, Radheshyam expressed optimism that further talks could produce a breakthrough. “We had just one meeting with the UNC. We will have more meetings in the coming days. We are optimistic about a positive outcome sooner than later,” he said.

The lifting of the NH-202 blockade is being seen as a limited but significant step in the state government’s efforts to restore connectivity and ease the movement of essential goods amid continuing ethnic tensions.

Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has made outreach to hill communities a key part of his efforts to restore peace in the violence-hit state. Since taking office, he has visited several hill districts and held meetings with tribal leaders in an attempt to bridge differences between communities.

The government is now under pressure to translate the latest development into a broader agreement that can reopen NH-2 and ensure uninterrupted supplies to the state.