Imphal: The People’s Progressive Alliance Manipur (PPAM) has strongly criticised the recent 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), describing its demand to restore free movement along highways as “selective” and calling for the equal enforcement of constitutional rights for all communities.
CoTU had recently given the Central and State governments a 48-hour deadline to remove checkpoints and restore unrestricted movement on highways passing through Kangpokpi district.
Reacting to the demand, PPAM Convenor MC Meetei said the alliance supports the principle of free movement but questioned CoTU’s silence over the continued restrictions faced by Meitei civilians using highways through Kuki-dominated areas since the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023.
He argued that the constitutional guarantee of freedom of movement applies equally to every citizen, irrespective of ethnicity or community.
MC Meetei further stated that appeals for human rights and access to public infrastructure, including National Highways, lose credibility if they are championed only for one section of society while similar concerns affecting others are ignored.
The alliance urged both the State and Central governments to uphold the rule of law impartially and ensure that constitutional protections are implemented uniformly across Manipur.
PPAM maintained that sustainable peace and normalcy in the state can only be achieved through equal application of constitutional rights and without discrimination against any community.