Imphal: Security forces, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and CoBRA, have been deployed at strategic and vulnerable locations across Manipur’s Noney district amid an indefinite economic blockade by the United Naga Council (UNC) along National Highway-37.
The UNC began the blockade at 1 am on September 9, demanding justice for the killing and alleged mutilation of six Liangmai Naga men on May 13. Security has been reinforced along the Imphal-Silchar highway via Jiribam, with heightened surveillance reported along the route.
The blockade has disrupted movement along the critical Imphal-Jiribam corridor, raising concerns over the supply of essential commodities. However, the UNC has exempted emergency services, medical supplies, media, power, water and telecommunications from the blockade.
The situation was further complicated after the Joint Tribes Council-Manipur (JTC-Manipur) announced a total shutdown of NH-37 and all Central government-sponsored projects within its jurisdiction.
The JTC-Manipur’s decision followed the alleged arrest of five Naga women from Noney headquarters by a CRPF CoBRA team. In a statement issued on September 11, the council identified the women as Rose Kamei, Stella Thaimei, Khamsinliu Phaomei, Kumtharla Kamei and Ellen Kamei, and claimed they were arrested while protesting peacefully.
The council condemned the arrests as “unwarranted” and demanded the women’s immediate and unconditional release.
The JTC-Manipur also raised concerns over what it described as continuing injustice against the Zeme, Liangmai, Rongmei and Inpui communities, citing the absence of accountability over the May 13 killings.
The allegations and circumstances surrounding the arrests could not be independently verified.
The council warned of further action if the women were not released immediately, while stating that it remained committed to a peaceful democratic struggle. It also appealed to members of the four communities to remain united, calm and disciplined.
The two disruptions are expected to affect traffic along NH-37, a key route connecting Imphal with Jiribam and Assam.