KRLWU demands apology, road blockade to continue

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 9: The Koubru Range Liangmai Women Union (KRLWU) has categorically that the indefinite blockade of Sak-puiluang Road (SP Road), the crossing on the road connecting Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, will go on unless an apology is tendered for the highly offensive and provocative act committed by Kuki miscreants at K Lungwiram village, Konsakhul on January 7, 2025.
Notably, a Liangmai woman was verbally abused and physically assaulted by a group of Kukis when the woman and her family were levelling ground using an excavator to construct a house at K Lungwiram on January 7.
The Kukis also confiscated and destroyed the victim’s mobile phone.
KRLWU executive member Wikhonliu asserted that Kukis have no right to raise any objection when Liangmai people construct houses on their lands.
The Government of Manipur must award befitting punishment to those Kukis for their unwarranted aggression, she said.
Wikhonliu said that they will continue to block SP Road until and unless a concrete solution is worked out and the Kukis tender an apology.
Koubru Range Liangmai Community vice-chairman Shanger Chawang urged the Government to bring a solution on the issue at the earliest before it gives rise to another communal conflict.  
On the other hand, Indigenous People Forum Manipur president Ashang Kasar said that Kukis have been targeting Liangmai Nagas repeatedly.
In their attempt to assert dominance over Nagas, Kukis have started physically assaulting even women and this is not something which can be dismissed lightly. Nagas have been living in the region since many generations back. Kukis came much later and they have started dictating terms. This is intolerable, Ashang Kasar said.
If the Kukis continue with their campaign of land grab contrary to the Nagas’ consistent efforts to foster peaceful co-existence, Nagas will not remain silent, he said.
He said that the Naga community will support every decision taken by Konsakhul and Liangmai people on the particular matter. He warned that Nagas may be compelled to adopt a decision to drive out Kukis from Naga areas if they (Kukis) perpetrate such aggressive and provocative activities.