Manipur: Naga students’ body imposes goods and trade embargo on Kuki-Zo community in Senapati

Imphal: One of the powerful student bodies, the Senapati District Students Association (SDSA) of Manipur on Saturday imposed an immediate embargo on goods, and trade to the Kuki-Zo community residing in the Senapati district.

The Naga community dominantly inhabits the Senapati district.

“This embargo is a necessary measure to respond to the unwarranted aggression and to protect the interests of our (Naga) community,” says an order issued by the Information & Publicity Wing SDSA.

The order further states:

• All eventualities that befall the Kuki-zo community-dwelling and living within Senapati, SDSA shall not be held responsible or accountable. The responsibility for any adverse outcomes rests solely with the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) and their subordinates.
• Effective immediately, no goods or commodities shall be permitted to be supplied to the Kuki-zo areas from Senapati or any other sources within SDSA's jurisdiction. This embargo is a necessary measure to respond to the unwarranted aggression and to protect the interests of our community.
• Individuals, businesses, or firms within Senapati are hereby strictly prohibited from engaging in any commercial transactions, business dealings, or trade with the Kuki-zo community. This prohibition extends to all forms of economic interactions and transactions.
• Any person or entity found violating this order shall bear the full consequences of their actions. We will not be held responsible for any harm, loss, or misfortune that befalls those who disregard this directive. The responsibility for their safety and the repercussions of their actions will rest entirely on them. 

This order is issued in the interest of maintaining peace, order, and the safety of all communities.

The SDSA, in pursuance of the press statement issued earlier, urgently appealing for all concerned parties to refrain from unnecessarily hampering vehicular movements along National Highway 2 (NH-2) and to maintain the highway as a safe zone, free from any form of harassment, the CoTU has, however, completely ignored statement and plea.

Despite SDSA?’s hospitality, patience, understanding, and neutrality in this ongoing conflict, the Kuki miscreants dared to set a truck on fire within SDSA's jurisdiction on the night of June 19 just below Tumuyon Khullen.

The truck belonged to a Meitei community.

The SDSA strongly condemns this act of arson, which is a direct challenge to our authority and also a grave threat to the safety and well-being of all communities.

The SDSA demands that the culprits be booked and befitting punishments should be given as per the Law, at the earliest.

Consequently, it is imperative to take immediate and stringent actions to prevent any further escalations and to safeguard the interests of all communities, as per the resolution adopted at the 2nd Federal Assembly, held at Nteiramphung (Tumnoupokpi) on June 1, 2024, the SDSA issues the order.