Manipur Highway Blockades Removed, Supreme Court Disposes Kuki Women Organization's Plea

The Supreme Court was informed on Monday by the Manipur government that the blockade on national highway has been removed.

A bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana was dealing with a PIL filed by the Kuki Women Organization for Human Rights seeking removal of blockade on NH2 and restoration of supply of essential services in the affected Manipur district.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed that the highway(s) had been opened.

Court went on to pass an order noting, "Learned ASG representing Manipur has filed a status report according to which the blockade on NH2 has been removed and supply of essential commodities has been restored. Also, all other national and state highways are removing the blockade. In light of the developments, Mr. Grover submits that the petition has been rendered infructuous. Disposed of accordingly."

In August, the Supreme Court had asked the rival groups in Manipur to work towards a comprehensive proposal to reopen national highways blocked amid the Naga-Kuki dispute. Court had observed that the continuing blockades were hurting ordinary people and disrupting the supply of essential commodities. "Why don't both groups realize that blockade of highway does not serve either group..You give us a proposal how highways can be. We will implead NHAI also..highways are lifeline of common person," CJI Kant had said.

CJI Kant had further told the petitioner that while the issue raised is very genuine as national highway has been blocked, in case sweeping directions are issued by court and state interferes, it might lead to violence against innocent people. "The issue raised in larger public interest is regarding removal of blockade of NH2 and restoration of supply of services..During the hearing, it is submitted that few more highways have been blocked in Manipur. Issue notice. Newly added respondent, instead of filing counter, should file details of other national highways/highways lying blocked alongwith a proposal as to how all blocked highways can be made functional. Petitioner will also make a comprehensive proposal in that regard. NHAI to be impleaded," the bench had ordered.

The Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) approached the Supreme Court seeking urgent intervention to end an economic blockade imposed on Kuki-Zo inhabited areas of Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, arguing that the prolonged restrictions amount to collective punishment and have triggered a humanitarian crisis.

A writ petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution seeks direction to the authorities to restore the free movement of essential commodities into the affected areas. In a press release issued on July 28, KWOHR said the blockade, allegedly enforced by Manipur Naga civil society organisations since around May 17, has severely disrupted supplies of food, fuel and medicines to Kuki-Zo villages.

The blockade has affected key transport routes, including National Highway-2 connecting Imphal with Dimapur, while Kuki groups later organised counter-blockades on NH-202. An immediate trigger for the blockade was a series of violent incidents in May 2026. On May 13, suspected armed assailants ambushed a group of Kuki-Zo church leaders, including Thadou Baptist pastors, in Kangpokpi district, killing three and injuring several others as they returned from a peace-related programme.

Case Title: KUKI WOMEN ORGANIZATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, A WING OF KUKI ORGANIZATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS TRUST (KOHUR) Vs THE STATE OF MANIPUR

Bench: CJI Kant, Justice Bagchi and Justice Mohana

Hearing Date: September 28, 2026