The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) Sadar Hills Kangpokpi District has served a three-day ultimatum with effect from August 17 to re-imposed highway blockade along National Highway 2 and 37 if essential commodities do not reach the Kuki-Zo inhabited areas.
The decision of CoTU comes ahead of the political talks between the UPD and KNO and the Government of India on Thursday, i.e., August 17 at the national capital, New Delhi.
CoTU Media Cell Coordinator Ng Lun Kipgen said that Amit Shah had appealed to the public to open the National Highways passing through Kangpokpi district as a “goodwill gesture” which was accepted by the UPF and KNO and thus resolved to lift the economic blockade.
However, contrary to the goodwill gesture, the valley community is still adamant in blocking the supply of essential commodities to the Kuki-Zo inhabited areas, he alleged.
He also said that CoTU is deeply anguished by the abhorrent outcome of the highway politics, as the community is being prevented from assessing essential commodities from the valley including relief materials, medical supplies and other basic goods meant for the Kuki-Zo indicated areas.
He then said that keeping the sentiment of the public intact, the CoTU is compelled to serve an ultimatum of three days to the Government of India to stop the valley people from blocking goods to transport into Kuki-Zo inhabited areas.
He also said that if the essential commodities meant for the Kuki-Zo inhabited areas failed to reach within the stipulated time, they will be compelled to re-impose the already lifted economic blockade along National Highway 2 and National Highway 37.
