IMPHAL | Thousands of vehicles remained stranded in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Tuesday as the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills, extended its ongoing total shutdown by another 48 hours, disrupting traffic along the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati highway corridor.

The shutdown was called to protest the alleged failure of the government to take concrete action and deliver justice for the killing of two Kuki-Zo civilians near National Highway 2, along the SP Road. Normal life in Kangpokpi has been severely affected, with passenger vehicles, goods carriers and commuters facing prolonged delays.

The disruption has also hit long-distance transportation from Imphal towards Nagaland and Assam, leaving several travellers struggling to reach their destinations. Some vehicles were reportedly exploring alternative routes to reach Dimapur and Guwahati.

A driver, Roshan, said several vehicles were also waiting for security escorts in the Litan area of Ukhrul district before proceeding towards their destinations. CoTU warns of further agitation In a public notice issued on Monday, CoTU announced the extension of the shutdown from 36 to 48 hours, accusing the government of indecision and failing to initiate concrete action against those responsible for the killings.

The committee alleged that the government had shown indifference towards the lives and security of Kuki-Zo civilians and demanded decisive, timebound action. “The patience of a grieving community must never be mistaken for weakness, nor its demand for justice be treated with contempt,” CoTU stated.

The committee warned that if the government failed to ensure immediate action and timely justice during the extended shutdown, the Kuki-Zo community would convene a mass public meeting to deliberate on and announce its next course of action. Bodies recovered after four-day search The shutdown follows the disappearance of Paoginlal Hangshing and Tinginlun Chongloi, both aged 20, from Taphou Kuki village on October 28.

Their bodies were recovered on November 1 during joint search operations, triggering widespread protests and clashes between security forces and demonstrators in Kangpokpi. CoTU has refused to claim the bodies until the government addresses its charter of demands. The continuing shutdown has added to the disruption of movement along a key highway linking Manipur with Nagaland and Assam, with thousands of travellers and transport operators bearing the brunt of the blockade.