Manipur Naga bodycalls off indefinite bandh

Foothill Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC) on Friday agreed to call off its indefinite bandh which has entered its 20th on Friday.
The FNCC agreed to call off the strike following a meeting with the Manipur government under the initiative of the state home department in Imphal today at 4 pm.
The meeting, attended by representatives of both the state government and FNCC, discussed key issues raised by the committee.
On the matter of alleged unauthorized road construction, the state government clarified that it had neither approved nor sanctioned any such roads as pointed out by FNCC.
It assured that necessary legal action would be taken after verification, and any illegal construction or naming would not be permitted.
Regarding concerns over the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement and designated camps, the government assured that the interests and apprehensions of Nagas in the foothill areas would be seriously considered in consultation with the India government.
On the issue of illegal poppy cultivation, both parties acknowledged the state’s ongoing “War on Drugs” campaign under which strict actions are being taken against those involved, in accordance with the NDPS Act and PIT (NDPS) Act.
The government highlighted that destruction drives had been carried out by state police in collaboration with central agencies such as the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
It was agreed that further surveys and eradication measures against illegal poppy and cannabis cultivation would be undertaken.
The indefinite bandh call given by the FNCC began at midnight on July 18, is a protest against the proposed construction of the German and Tiger roads through Naga ancestral lands without prior consent, the continued presence of illegal Suspension of Operation (SoO) camps of Kuki militants, and the unchecked expansion of poppy cultivation in the region.
While the bandh restricted movement of persons belonging to the Kuki tribe in the Naga inhabited foothill region of the state, the FNCC has described the bandh as a peaceful but determined stand to protect Naga ancestral land, identity, and security.
The protest has garnered widespread support from Naga organizations across Manipur, underlining growing frustration and anger over what many see as systemic neglect of indigenous rights and concerns.
The calling of the bandh also came up hours after a counter blockade was launched by Kuki based civil society organisations on the supply of all essential items along NH-2 in Kangpokpi district.
The Kangpokpi district-based Working Committee Kuki CSO imposed the blockade along NH-2 in protest against the indefinite bandh by the FNCC against the movement of Kuki people in Naga inhabited foothill region of the state.