Manipur NH blockades: Supreme Court urges dialogue, asks groups to end crisis

The Supreme Court on Friday intervened in the recurring blockades of national highways in Manipur, expressing serious concern over the humanitarian crisis caused by the disruption of essential supplies. The court urged all ethnic groups involved to cease what it described as a 'blockade war' and cooperate to ensure the uninterrupted flow of food and medicines.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was hearing a plea filed by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights. Senior advocate Anand Grover, representing the organisation, told the court that NH-2 and the supply routes to Kangpokpi district have been blocked by Naga groups, leaving the local population without food and healthcare. 'The state just can't sit and do nothing,' Grover argued, urging the court to direct the Centre and the state government to reopen the highway.

However, an Imphal-based organisation, the International Meitei Organization, countered these allegations. Through senior advocate Ngangom Junior Luwang, the group claimed that Kuki groups have been responsible for blocking all major national highways in Manipur since the ethnic clashes began in May 2023. The organisation stated that NH-2 (Imphal to Dimapur), NH-37 (Imphal to Silchar), and NH-102 (Imphal to Moreh) have been blockaded, with only intermittent movement of goods vehicles reportedly linked to extortion rackets. It accused the petitioner of playing the 'victim card' when faced with similar blockades by another ethnic group.

Taking note of the submissions, Chief Justice Kant said the blockade war must stop and urged all groups to sit together, abjure violence, and cooperate so that essential commodities and medicines are not disrupted. When the Meitei NGO welcomed the suggestion, Grover offered his client's cooperation but questioned who would bring the Naga groups to the table.

The Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre, the Manipur government, and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). The court observed that the larger public interest demands the removal of blockades on all national highways in the state and restoration of supply to Kangpokpi district. It recorded Grover's assurance that the petitioner organisation would work with social organisations towards this goal, as well as similar sentiments expressed by the Meitei NGO. The court directed all parties to suggest modalities for reopening the highways without engaging in blame games and scheduled the next hearing in two weeks.