Correspondent
IMPHAL, JUL 2: Close on the heels of government’s plan to deploy additional security forces to clear the ongoing economic blockade, Naga protesters have allegedly mobilized to intensify their stir along NH-2 at Kanglatongbi in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district adjoining Imphal West district.
Various media reports indicated that the state government has recently ordered deployment of additional security forces along the stretch of the highway in Kanglatongbi area for the free passage of the goods-laden vehicles.
One of the reports stated that the state police department is mobilizing a multi-agency force to restore normal movement along the highway.
The area where the blockade is being imposed lies within the jurisdiction of the Sekmai police station of Imphal West district, where the security mobilization is being handled by the Imphal West district police.
Apart from personnel of the district police, VDF (Village Defense Force), police commandos (an elite police unit of Manipur police), the district police is reportedly planning to deploy a company of RAF (Rapid Action Force) and two platoon of CRPF to thwart any attempt to disturb the free passage of goods-laden vehicles on the blockade affected stretch of the highway.
Demanding justice for the six Naga hostages brutally murdered by Kuki groups, Naga residents of Namdilong locality in Kanglatongbi area have been enforcing the indefinite economic blockade along the NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur section) for the more than a month.
The blockade has effectively hit essential goods from reaching Kuki dominated Kangpokpi district effectively and has created severe scarcity of these items in the district.
Citing a severe humanitarian crisis created by the severe scarcity of essential goods and lifesaving drugs, Kangpokpi based CoTU (Committee on Tribal Unity) had even served a 48-hour ultimatum to the government for the free passage of essential items on the highway.
With no positive response despite the ultimatum a few days back, the CoTU had residents of Kangpokpi mobilized to march to Kanglatongbi where the blockade is being enforced.
Timely intervention by the security forces, however, prevented a possible confrontation between Naga and Kuki protesters.
Even as the security forces took control of the situation, tensions are still running high as the blockaders effectively blocked the passage of goods-laden vehicles to Kangpokpi district.
On the other hand, Naga protesters intensified the blockade with the support extended by the Meitei and Nepali residents of the area.
The protesters continued to check vehicles heading toward Kangpokpi along the highway at Namdinglong. They, however, allowed passengers and other vehicles carrying no goods.
The protesters questioned the government’s inaction over the killing of the six Naga civilians while lamenting the plan to act against them (protesters) from enforcing the blockade.
While pressing the government authorities to ensure justice and immediate steps to address the issue, the leaders of the protesters warned against use of force to thwart the blockade.
A youth among the protesters alleged that while Naga members were unable to travel freely to Ukhrul due to the prevailing situation, the security forces were escorting Kuki individuals from Kangpokpi to Imphal.
Talking to the media at the protest site, he said that the protesters only checked the vehicles as part of the ongoing agitation and there was no question of completely blocking the highway.
He reiterated that vehicles transporting essential commodities toward Kangpokpi will continue to be dealt with strictly.