Correspondent
IMPHAL, Sep 12: Joint Tribal Council Manipur (JTCM) withdrew its total shutdown on NH-37 and Central government projects following the release of five women detained by the security forces in Manipur’s Noney district on Saturday.
However, the restriction on the movement of loaded vehicles along the Imphal-Jiribam section of the NH-37 continued as the inter-district economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC) is going on.
The JTCM declared the total shutdown on NH-37 and Central-sponsored projects in Naga inhabited areas after five women who were allegedly involved in the blocking on the highway and pelting stones to the convoy of loaded trucks in Noney district on September 10.
The five women – Rose Kamei, Stella Thaimei, Khamsinliu Phaomei, Kumtharla Kamei and Ellen Kamei – were detained by personnel of the CoBRA unit of the CRPF at Noney Bazar in Noney district in a follow up action to secure obstruction free passage of the loaded trucks.
The free flow of the loaded vehicles with the security convoy was disturbed following stone pelting incidents at two places along the highway in Noney district on September 10 that injured at least five drivers with two of them critically.
Notably, one of the critically injured drivers has been admitted at the ICU of a hospital in Imphal after his condition deteriorated.
The release of the women protesters prompted the JTCM to suspend its shutdown on NH-37 and Central government projects.
In a statement issued today (Saturday), the JTCM said its shutdown was lifted with immediate effect following their release, but maintained that the UNC’s economic blockade would continue.
The Council reiterated its demand for justice and accountability for the murdered of six Naga hostages in Kangpokpi district while extending its solidarity to the intensified inter-district economic blockade being imposed by the UNC.
“Following the release of the five innocent women (Rose Kamei, Stella Thaimei, Khamsinliu Phaomei, Kumtharla Kamei and Ellen Kamei), the JTCM declares that the total shutdown on national highway-37 and all Central government projects called by the JCTM is hereby lifted immediately and effectively, the statement of the information and publicity unit of the JTCM read.
“While the JTCM has withdrawn its specific shutdown declaration, we unequivocally state that the intensification of the economic blockade called by the United Naga Council (UNC) will continue,” the statement added.
The Council asserted that the release of the five women did not resolve the broader, deep-rooted issues face by the Naga people while adding that the UNC’s economic blockade remained a critical component of the collective democratic movement to press for justice and hold the state and Central governments accountable for their continued injustice against the people.
While seeking the public’s cooperation and support to the cause, the JTCM reiterated that it remained resolute in its pursuit of accountability for the six murdered and mutilated bodies of Naga’s sons.
Truck drivers and petroleum tanker drivers continue strike
On the other hand, the indefinite hands-off steering wheel stir launched by the truck drivers and petroleum tanker drivers continued effectively with no truck or oil tanker ready to resume service.
While continuing the stir, members of the All Manipur Petroleum Products Drivers’ Association today staged a sit-in-protest outside the campus of the Malom Oil Depot in Imphal.
The protesting members demanded enhanced security and government assurances following the alleged stone-pelting of petroleum tankers along NH-37 in Noney.
Shamungou, a member of the association said that several drivers were injured in the incident, with at least five of them sustaining serious injuries.
The association demanded a departmental inquiry into the alleged security lapses and questioned the deployment and conduct of security personnel during the movement of the convoy.
The association further called for strengthening the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for petroleum convoys on NH-37, particularly during bandhs, blockades and protests, and demanded that revised security arrangements be provided in writing before transportation resumes.
It also sought a formal government agreement backed by a Gazette notification, unconditional compensation for injured drivers and damaged vehicles, and assurances against future attacks and illegal taxation.
“Drivers belong to all communities and essential items belong to everyone. Every community should restrain from targeting drivers,” Shamungou said.