Manipur's village group opposes move to open NH-2

Guwahati: The Village Volunteers Coordinating Committee (VVCC) has opposed the decision to open National Highway-2 for the free movement of commuters. The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) had announced on Thursday that it would facilitate movement of vehicles and people along the Imphal-Dimapur NH-2, one of the lifelines of Manipur.

KZC, an apex tribal body, decided on Thursday to open NH-2 for the free movement of commuters and essential goods. The decision came after a series of meetings between officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and a KZC delegation over the last few days in New Delhi. KZC has given a commitment to cooperate with security forces to maintain peace along NH-2.

In both Kuki and Meitei inhabited areas, there are voluntary village volunteers who protect their community and guard their areas. One such is VVCC, which expressed disappointment at the statement that KZC has agreed to open NH-2 for free movement of commuters and essential commodities in exchange for an extension of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. VVCC is a body of village volunteers from Kuki areas.

Valley-based Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity has condemned the Centre's decision to extend SoO with ' Kuki militant groups'.