SC Disposes Manipur NH-2 Blockade PIL After Highway Reopens
The Supreme Court has disposed of a PIL regarding the Manipur NH-2 blockade after the state government confirmed the highway is reopened for essential goods.
The Supreme Court of India has officially disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the blockades on National Highway-2 (NH-2) in Manipur. This decision follows an update from the State government confirming that the vital route has been reopened, allowing for the movement of essential commodities.
State Confirms Highway Restoration
During the proceedings on Monday, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Manipur government, informed the apex court that the highway is now open to traffic. To support this, the State submitted a formal status report stating that the blockade on NH-2 has been lifted and the route is being used to transport critical supplies.
The report further highlighted that the administration is actively working to clear obstructions from other national and state highways across the region to ensure smooth connectivity.
Court's Observations on Law and Order
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana reviewed the matter and noted that the situation primarily constitutes a “law and order problem.” The bench advised that any future concerns regarding such disruptions should be reported directly to the local administration.
In a significant observation, Justice Bagchi addressed the issue of illegal collections, stating that any “subscriptions” being forcibly collected from truckers and vehicles entering the state from outside must be immediately stopped.
The Petition and Its Resolution
The PIL was originally filed by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights. The group had sought the removal of blockades on NH-2 to restore the supply of essential services to the districts affected by the disruptions.
Senior advocate Anand Grover, representing the petitioner, pointed to a government order issued on August 28, 2026, which directed the removal of all obstructions from highways in Manipur. He emphasized that the petitioner's primary goal was to ensure this order was implemented “in letter and spirit.”
Given that the highway is now operational and the state is working on clearing other routes, the petitioner conceded that the petition had become infructuous. The Supreme Court recorded these developments and closed the case, noting the ongoing efforts to clear remaining blockades on state and national highways.