Imphal, Agency
Essential and normal goods, petroleum products, e business platforms remained completely cut off from the rest of the world due to stirs, landslides causing intense hardships to the masses in Manipur.
Manipur has two main national highways, Imphal to Jiribam and Imphal to Mao of which the first one which is lengthy and muddy remains the only reliable highway since the outbreak of the crisis in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on 3 May 2023. Imphal to Mao highway passes through some pockets resided by Kuki communities and travel is not advisable for Naga, Meitei and other residents of the state.
Imphal to Jiribam highway is much safer as it has few Kuki villages and the government is bringing in goods by providing escorts. Movement on the highway has also suffered a setback as Kuki militants stopped vehicles and looted. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand discussed the situation with security personnel and assured them of adequate security.
The transporters said the highway is in pathetic condition , major portions filled with mud while miscreants extort money from the drivers. Most of the e business services have stopped services to the state and stocks at most shops have depleted. Huidrom Bablu of the Kangleipak Students' Association (KSA) said essential items are sold at inflated prices. He said his organisation has started a campaign to check prices of goods.
A shopkeeper said cement is sold at double the prices available in other neighbouring states hence a cement bag costs around Rs 700 per bag while it is available around Rs 300 in neighbouring states. Prices of onions, potato, garlic are sold at four times the actual price as there is a shortage in the market. A person who was shopping in the market complained.
Petroleum product transporters complained of loot by militants and decided to stop service however after being assured to provide security transportation have started. Most oil depots continue to be closed down and petrol is available in black market only costing Rs 200 to Rs 250 per liter. The transporters said they provided videos of Kuki militants stopping vehicles and looting people; however the government has not yet acted. Home Minister K Govindas said he has seen the video however the faces of the militants are not seen clearly and identification is difficult.
The transporters further said even India Postal goods were looted on July 26, 2026, near Litan Police Station in Ukhrul district by a mob in a Kuki village. Important documents, passports, certificates were burnt by the villagers and hence transportation of postal goods have also stopped.
Blockades and counter blockades escalated after six Naga men were killed by Kuki miscreants in May and the two communities have blocked roads as both communities have started fighting with each other. Since May 2023 the only option for most people to go out of the state is by air and flight rate to Guwahati is more than Rs 10000 and appeals by the people to the government to intervene and stop the price hike has failed to materialise according to a travel agent. The Agartala to Guwahati air flight rate is less than Rs 3000 and the Imphal to Guwahati flight rate is even higher than international flights, he said.
An official said the government has decided to provide adequate security to the trucks which are coming from Jiribam however problems arise when any vehicle breaks down as the whole convoy can't wait for a single vehicle. There is no rail connectivity upto Imphal and the Government of India in 2008 declared a 'National Project' owing to its strategic and regional importance. Work on the 111 km line is going on a slow pace and the completion date was extended several times and the target has again been extended to 2029.
With the roads cut off, air travel beyond the means of the common masses, oil depots running dry, shops closed down, prices of vegetables, essential commodities sky high, life has become miserable for the common masses.
Government officials said the Chief Minister will go to meet Naga villagers tomorrow and interact with leaders of various communities at Imphal to ease the tension. Manipur valley which is about ten percent of the total land is inhabited by all communities and there is no report of any ethnic clashes. Thadou, Zou, Hmar, Meitei, Tangkhul and other communities are freely moving around and living together however in the hill areas the movements of people and goods are yet to be normalised.
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