Parts of Manipur have faced irregular deliveries of groceries and essential items for more than a month because unrest has evolved into a three-sided conflict, with roadblocks on several routes restricting the movement of goods.
The situation is most acute in Kangpokpi district, which has a Kuki-Zo majority. Supplies normally reach the area via routes from Dimapur in Nagaland that cross either the Naga-majority Senapati district or the Meitei-majority Imphal valley.
As fighting has spread from the 2023 clashes between Kuki-Zo and Meitei groups to recent confrontations involving Naga communities, the Kangpokpi supply lines are now obstructed at multiple points. Naga organisations in Senapati and the state capital have halted goods vehicles heading to the district.
The latest blockades started after violence on 13 May, when three Kuki-Zo church leaders were killed in Kangpokpi. This incident triggered hostage-taking by both sides and ended with the discovery of six Naga hostages who had been killed earlier this month.
Although both communities imposed blockades and shutdowns, Kuki-Zo residents in Kangpokpi reported the greatest hardship. The full blockades were later lifted, yet a United Naga Council representative stated that an economic blockade against Kuki-Zo areas remains in place.
A wholesale distributor in Kangpokpi, speaking anonymously, said stocks of sugar, salt, potatoes and onions had run out. Existing supplies lasted roughly a month through controlled distribution, but nothing has arrived since 13 May, leaving only slow-moving items such as confectionery.
Petrol is reportedly sold at 300 rupees per litre in bottles, while LPG cylinders cost between 3,500 and 4,000 rupees.
The distributor noted that the most recent delivery occurred a few days earlier when Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen arranged 640 fifty-kilogram bags of rice. These bags sold for 2,000 rupees each instead of the usual 1,800 rupees because of extra transport costs.
A district official confirmed that rice reached the area with help from the three local MLAs and security forces. Between 40 and 50 quintals were allocated to each Sub-Divisional Officer for distribution through local channels, and a truck of LPG cylinders arrived for ration-card holders.
The official added that while some rice had been received, overall food supplies remain insufficient.
Movement restrictions have also limited healthcare. Patients who previously travelled to Imphal or Kohima for advanced treatment now rely on army convoys arranged every two or three days through the relevant SDO.
Some areas, such as Leimakhong, are even more isolated because access to district headquarters requires crossing Naga settlements.
A non-Manipuri shop owner said outsiders are permitted to bring five to ten kilograms of personal supplies but nothing for commercial sale. Daily trips to Imphal for stock ended in mid-May, leaving shops empty.
The blockades have similarly affected Naga-majority Ukhrul, where goods routes from Imphal pass through Kuki-Zo areas. Tensions over these routes led to the killing of a truck driver in a convoy travelling under security escort.
