Manipur Naga council agrees to pause highway blockade after government talks

The United Naga Council has agreed to temporarily lift its economic blockade of Manipur’s highways after talks with the central and state governments, The Hindu reported. The decision followed a tripartite meeting held on Saturday at the Border Security Force’s Frontier Headquarters in Guwahati. UNC president Ng.

Lorho said the blockade would be paused from 6 p.m. on September 26 after the government said the organisation’s demands would be addressed. The council is the apex community organisation representing Nagas.

Its action had affected National Highways 2, 202 and 102A, disrupting the movement of goods and the supply of essential items to the Imphal Valley, which lies near the centre of Manipur. The blockades began on June 11, after the dismembered bodies of six Naga civilians were recovered on June 10. The disruption continued for more than three months amid the wider conflict in the state, which began as violence between Kuki-Zomi and Meitei communities in May 2023 and later involved Kukis and Nagas.

The UNC is seeking the revocation of the Suspension of Operations agreement with about 25 Kuki-Zomi armed groups. It has also demanded the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and justice for six Naga residents of Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district who were abducted and killed in May. The organisation said the deaths of four Naga villagers along the India-Myanmar border in Kamjong district on September 25 were also discussed.

According to the UNC, the government promised to maintain law and order in vulnerable parts of the state, especially along the international border. The temporary lifting of the blockade was described as a significant step towards easing Manipur’s transportation and supply crisis. The source material does not state how long the pause will last or whether the council’s demands have been accepted.