Supreme Court: Manipur Highway Blockades Must End Amid Humanitarian Crisis

• The Supreme Court has called for comprehensive proposals from Kuki and Naga groups to end Manipur highway blockades.
• The blockades have disrupted essential commodity supplies and triggered a humanitarian crisis in Kuki-Zo areas of Manipur's Kangpokpi district.
• A writ petition filed under Article 32 seeks direction from the authorities to restore free movement of essential commodities into affected areas.

The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the ongoing highway blockades in Manipur, which have disrupted essential commodity supplies and triggered a humanitarian crisis. The blockade, imposed by Manipur Naga civil society organisations on Kuki-Zo inhabited areas since May 17, has severely affected residents of hill districts, leading to acute shortages of food, fuel, and medicines. The Supreme Court has asked rival groups in Manipur to work towards a comprehensive proposal to reopen national highways blocked amid the Naga-Kuki dispute.

A writ petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution seeks direction from the authorities to restore the free movement of essential commodities into affected areas. The Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) has approached the Supreme Court, arguing that the prolonged restrictions amount to collective punishment and have triggered a humanitarian crisis. The blockade has been ongoing since May 17, with key transport routes, including National Highway-2 connecting Imphal with Dimapur, severely disrupted.

The Supreme Court's intervention is crucial in addressing the humanitarian crisis caused by the blockade. The court has observed that the continuing blockades are hurting ordinary people and disrupting essential commodity supplies. The Kuki-Zo areas have been affected, with residents facing acute shortages of food, fuel, and medicines. The blockade has also led to counter-blockades on NH-202, further exacerbating the situation.

Lawyers advising clients in Manipur should be aware of the potential for ongoing highway blockades to disrupt essential commodity supplies and may need to advise on compliance with any new proposals or directives issued by the authorities.

Source: Original reporting via LawBeat