# Kuki group shuts highway after border village attacks

> A Kuki civil society organisation halts National Highway 202 for four days following coordinated attacks on villages in Manipur's Kamjong district near the India-Myanmar border.
- Title: Kuki group shuts highway after border village attacks
- Summary: A Kuki civil society organisation halts National Highway 202 for four days following coordinated attacks on villages in Manipur's Kamjong district near the…
- Keywords: manipur, kuki-zo, naga, kamjong district, national highway 202, ethnic conflict, india-myanmar border, violence, news, politics, Kuki, group
- Source: The Hindu — https://thehindu.com/news/national/manipur/kuki-group-announces-shutdown-of-key-manipur-highway-after-attacks-on-villages/article71600255.ece
- Author: Rahul Karmakar
- Published: 2026-10-18T16:40:52+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: manipur, kuki-zo, naga, kamjong district, national highway 202, ethnic conflict, india-myanmar border, violence, news, politics
## Kuki group halts key highway
The Working Committee of Kuki Civil Society Organisations announced a total shutdown of National Highway 202 from Sunday October 18, 2026 midnight to Thursday October 22, 2026 midnight.
## Highway's role in Manipur
National Highway 202, also called the Imphal-Ukhrul road, became a key alternative route when National Highway 2 closed to certain communities after ethnic conflict erupted in May 2023.
## Attacks on Kuki villages
Attacks on villages near the India-Myanmar border in Kamjong district left at least one Kuki villager dead, several injured, and at least fifteen houses torched through Saturday October 17, 2026 night.
## Kuki accusation against Nagas
The Working Committee accused Naga extremists, specifically the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, of attacking Chassad and other Kuki villages near the Myanmar border.
## Kuki demand for action
The Working Committee stated governments must abandon hollow assurances and demonstrate resolve through decisive, on-ground action before another innocent civilian is killed.

> The governments of Manipur and India must abandon hollow assurances and demonstrate their resolve through decisive, on-ground action before another innocent civilian is killed.
## Naga counter-accusation
Naga organisations accused Kuki armed groups including the Myanmar-based Kuki National Army-Burma of attacking Naga villages, injuring three Tangkhul Naga civilians at Kamjong on Saturday October 17, 2026.
## Police transfer sparks Naga anger
The Manipur government replaced Superintendent of Police Tholu Rocky with Jay Barange in Kamjong district on Sunday October 18, 2026, transferring Rocky to the Manipur Police Training Centre.
## Naga organisations condemn transfer
The Manipur Naga Youth Organisation condemned the transfer, alleging Kuki MLA Kimneo Hangsing urged Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh to remove Rocky because he was Naga.

> The Nagas have long endured the State administration's law and order failure in the hope of an early return of peace and normalcy, but the present government appears appeasing only the troublemakers.
## Key takeaway

Kuki organisations shut a key Manipur highway for four days after attacks on border villages injured civilians and burned fifteen houses, amid blame between Kuki and Naga groups.