In a plea seeking removal of blockade over National Highway 2 in Manipur, the Supreme Court today called on two organizations representing the Kuki and Meitei groups to furnish proposals for clearing of blockades across all highways in the state.

Calling on the parties to "think of peace now" and not take the case as "adversarial litigation", the Court further impleaded the National Highways Authority of India, which maintains the national

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.

Issuing notice, it called on the Meitei Organization to furnish a list of highways other than NH2 which are lying blocked.

In course of the hearing, Senior Advocate Anand Grover, for the petitioner, argued that the situation is dire and the State cannot just sit back. He claimed that the blockade has affected food supplies, children's schooling, and supply of other commodities.

Hearing him, CJI Kant acknowledged that the issue is very genuine, but expressed an apprehension that if the Court issues sweeping directions and the state interferes in compliance thereof, the result may be violence against innocent people.

When a counsel appeared on behalf of the International Meitei Organization, and claimed that the petition was "mischievous", the CJI asked both sides to consider that nobody is benefitting from the blockade.

"Why don't both groups realize something? That blockade of highway does not serve either group. With intervention of some agency, why don't you allow national highway to function?", he said.

"Highways are the lifeline of common person", CJI Kant added.

The Meitei Organization counsel emphasized that the petitioner itself was blocking highways, however, Grover claimed that the Kuki militants had lifted the blockade. Ultimately, CJI Kant asked the counsels to not treat the litigation as adversarial.

Justice Bagchi on his part observed that the issue of removal of blockade should be dealt with across the state, not in a piecemeal fashion. The judge also noted that the Naga groups were not represented before the court.

Case : KUKI WOMEN ORGANIZATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, A WING OF KUKI ORGANIZATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS TRUST (KOHUR) AND ANR. Versus THE STATE OF MANIPUR AND ANR. W.P.(C) No. 961/2026