Stir lifted but hundreds of goods laden trucks still stranded on both NHs

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 2 : Hundreds of goods vehicles remain stranded on the Imphal-Jiribam and Imphal-Dimapur roads, even as the shutdown called by the Joint Tribes’ Council (JTC), Manipur, in areas inhabited by the Zeliangrong community, was lifted this evening.
The JTC decided to lift the shutdown after the United Naga Council (UNC) retracted its earlier decision to release 14 Kuki hostages.
The reversal came amid mounting pressure from various groups demanding the release of six Naga civilians who had been abducted by Kuki groups.
According to different reports, women protesters blocked the Imphal-Jiribam road at Noney and Khongsang from the morning by placing tree branches and other heavy objects across the roadway, disrupting the movement of vehicles.
Shops and markets in Noney and Khongsang also remained closed for the day to support the shutdown.
The protest continued even after the police intervened.
At the time of filing this report, around 1,000 goods vehicles were stranded both along the Imphal-Jiribam (approximately 537) and Imphal-Dimapur (around 450) roads, even after the shutdown was lifted.
Vehicles stranded at Noney are expected to start moving towards Imphal tomorrow.
Similarly, about 450 loaded vehicles remain stranded between Tumuyon Khullen in Senapati and Khujuma in Nagaland.
Initially, around 700 vehicles were stuck along this stretch, but approximately 250 trucks carrying essential goods such as onions and potatoes have returned.
Reports indicated that some of these trucks have sold their produce in Dimapur out of concern that the food items might spoil.
Notably, tensions between the Kuki and Naga communities have persisted since February this year and it took a serious turn following the killing of three Thadou Church leaders in an ambush on May 13 at Saheibung Peak, Zero Point, between Kotzim and Kotlen under New Keithelmanbi police station in Kangpokpi district.
Following the ambush, a hostage crisis erupted, with both Naga and Kuki groups taking civilians captive.
A total of 28 individuals held by the two communities were safely released on the night of May 14, while 20 remain in illegal custody till today.
The UNC had yesterday decided to release the 14 Kuki hostages (a decision it later retracted) and it confirms that the Kuki hostages are alive.
However, the fate of the six Naga men abducted by Kuki groups remains unclear, as no Kuki groups have made any statement regarding them, other than Kuki Inpi, Manipur which said that all abducted Naga people have been released and they have no idea on the whereabouts of the six Naga men.