72 hours shutdown on National Highway-2 imposed by COTU

Imphal: With tensions rising in the violence-torn state of Manipur, the Committee for Tribal Unity (COTU) imposed a 72-hour-long shutdown on National Highway 2 on July 16.
The shutdown call for NH-2 comes hours after a fresh wave of violent clashes broke out on the border between Bishnupur and Churachandpur in Manipur on July 16.
COTU General Secretary, Lamminlun Singsit speaking to India TodayNE on NH-2 blockade said, “Yes, we have decided to impose a blockade on NH-2 from midnight of July 16 in view of the continuous attacks, arson and killings. What’s up. Even this morning of the innocent Kuki Zo, the Myanmar-based insurgents who have been infiltrating Manipur in a clash with the fundamentalists, attacked again at around 10 am today”.
There are reports of intermittent fighting and subsequent burning of houses in Tangbuh village early this morning.
The clash reportedly took place near Tinkai Kholan near Bishnupur district, as confirmed by the COTU General Secretary.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) strongly condemned the acts of violence and expressed concern over the indignity to life and property in the region.
Notably, in another incident of violence on July 15, a mob comprising mostly women allegedly torched three trucks containing LPG cylinders owned by a Kuki-zo tribal in Sikmai village of Imphal West. set on fire
According to the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), the trucks that have been stuck at the IOC gas plant in Sekmai since May 3 are being moved to Kangpokpi district after owner Misao Gas Agency gets approval from the police. .
After being tipped off by an insider, women protesters blocked the road and set the trucks on fire around 12 pm.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) strongly condemns the indignity to life and property that continues to be demonstrated.